McInnes in Hot Water Over Late-Season Fury
New Rangers manager Derek McInnes is facing a potential touchline ban after the Scottish FA issued a notice of complaint over comments in which he described a late penalty awarded to Celtic as "disgusting". The remarks date back to the chaotic end of last season when McInnes was still in charge of Heart of Midlothian, and they have now landed him in disciplinary trouble just weeks into his Ibrox reign.
The incident in question occurred at Fir Park, where Celtic were awarded a stoppage-time penalty for handball. Kelechi Iheanacho converted from the spot to seal a 2-1 win, keeping the visitors a single point behind Hearts and setting up a dramatic final-day title decider — which Celtic went on to win. The fallout from that decision has been immense, with Motherwell and their midfielder Elliott Watt also cited by the governing body over social media posts.
'Disgusting' – The Words That Sparked a Row
Speaking to Sky Sports after a win against Falkirk at Tynecastle, McInnes did not hold back. He said:
"When you heard Celtic got a 96th-minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what's happened is they get the penalty. Having seen it again, it's disgusting. It is. I don't think it's a penalty kick. But we're up against it. We're up against everybody."
Those words, delivered in the heat of a tense title race, have now been deemed to have crossed a line. The SFA compliance officer has charged McInnes, Motherwell and Watt under disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits any recognised body or individual from criticising match officials in a way that suggests bias or incompetence, or from making remarks that impinge on an official's character.
SFA Tightens the Screws on Post-Match Comments
The governing body's move signals a firm stance against the kind of public outbursts that have become increasingly common in the VAR era. The specific rule invoked states that no club, official, player or staff member shall "criticise the decision(s) and/or performance(s) of any or all match official(s) in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence". A separate post from Motherwell on X read:
"As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus."Meanwhile, Watt labelled the penalty award
"the worst VAR decision in history".
All three parties have been called to a disciplinary hearing on 16 July. Should the panel rule against McInnes, a touchline ban could be imposed for the start of the new Scottish Premiership campaign — a significant blow for a manager still bedding in at Ibrox.
The Wider Fallout: Referee Abuse and Police Involvement
The controversy over the Fir Park spot-kick took an uglier turn when referee John Beaton’s contact details were posted online. Police placed his home under surveillance, and a teenager was later charged in connection with a data protection offence. While McInnes’s comments stopped short of personal threats, the SFA is clearly determined to draw a link between inflammatory language and the erosion of respect for officials.
For McInnes, the timing is awkward. He left Hearts under a cloud after the title near-miss and is now tasked with rebuilding a Rangers side that finished third. A touchline ban would rob him of the dugout presence many feel is crucial to his management style. The 16 July hearing will be a pivotal moment in determining whether he can start his Ibrox tenure on the front foot or faces immediate sanction.
Key Takeaways
- Derek McInnes faces a possible touchline ban after calling a Celtic penalty "disgusting" while Hearts manager last season.
- The SFA has charged McInnes, Motherwell and Elliott Watt under a rule prohibiting criticism of officials that implies bias or incompetence.
- The penalty, scored by Kelechi Iheanacho, gave Celtic a 2-1 win at Motherwell and proved decisive in the title race.
- Referee John Beaton was subjected to online abuse, leading to a police investigation and a teenage charge.
- Disciplinary hearings are set for 16 July, with McInnes now at Rangers and the new season approaching.
Quick Facts
Who: Derek McInnes (Rangers manager, formerly Hearts), Motherwell FC, Elliott Watt
What: SFA notice of complaint over comments about VAR penalty decision
Where: Fir Park, Motherwell
When: Comments made end of last season; hearing on 16 July 2026
Rule broken: Disciplinary rule 72 – criticising officials in a way that implies bias or incompetence
Potential punishment: Touchline ban for McInnes, sanctions for Motherwell and Watt
