Derek McInnes Suspended as Rangers Manager After Criticism of Match Officials
Derek McInnes has received a suspension from the touchline during his initial three domestic matches as the manager of Rangers. This disciplinary action stems from his comments regarding the officiating in a recent game.
Previously, McInnes faced a one-match suspension last season while he was head coach at Hearts, after he criticized match officials following a narrow defeat to Celtic. His current suspension has been set for four games, highlighting the scrutiny faced by managers in the Scottish football league.
Rangers have announced plans to appeal these sanctions. McInnes’s comments targeted the officiating decision that awarded Celtic a penalty in the dying seconds of a critical match, during which Hearts were vying for the top position in the Scottish Premiership.
During the match, Hearts found themselves competing closely with Celtic for the title, ultimately succumbing to their rivals on the season’s final day. McInnes described the decision to award the penalty, based on advice from video assistant Andrew Dallas, as “very distasteful,” expressing frustration over the perceived inequity in officiating.
Furthermore, McInnes expressed his dissatisfaction by stating that he felt the outcome showed a disturbing tendency where decisions could favor one side over another. “I’m not supposed to comment on other games, but watching that one makes me feel like we’re playing against everyone,” he remarked.
In response to his comments, Rangers issued a statement defending McInnes, arguing that his remarks did not constitute an overall condemnation of match officials’ integrity. According to the club, his feedback was strictly aimed at one specific decision, asserting that he did not suggest bias or incompetence on the part of the referees.
This ruling means that McInnes will be unable to guide the team from the sidelines during their season opener against Dundee United on July 31, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. He will continue to miss subsequent matches, including a key game against Hibernian at Ibrox and a League Cup fixture in mid-August. If McInnes breaches the same guidelines again, a fourth game suspension could ensue.
The incident follows a recent ban imposed on former Motherwell player Elliott Watt, who earned a four-match suspension for labeling Celtic’s penalty as “the worst VAR call in history” on social media. Both individuals are at the center of scrutiny regarding disciplinary code No. 72, which explicitly prohibits remarks that imply referee bias or incompetence, potentially harming players’ reputations.
Statement from Rangers on Disciplinary Actions
Rangers firmly believe that McInnes’s comments were not an attack on the competency or integrity of the match officials. The club claims that sentiments expressed by McInnes reflect a broader concern shared by many in the sport, advocating for an environment where honest feedback is allowed to foster improvement and growth in Scottish football.
Highlighting the importance of accountability and transparency, Rangers argued that the refusal to acknowledge critical decisions undermines efforts to raise standards and build trust within the sport.
Details on Upcoming Fixtures for Rangers
As the new season unfolds, Rangers are set to face several important fixtures:
- July 31: Dundee United (a) – 8 PM, live on Sky Sports
- August 9: Hibernian – 4 PM
- August 22: St Mirren (h) – 3 PM
- August 29: Aberdeen (a) – 3 PM
- September 2: Falkirk (a) – 7:45 PM
- September 5: Motherwell – 3 PM
- September 20: Celtic (a) – 12 PM, live on Sky Sports
These matches will serve as pivotal moments for McInnes and the Rangers team as they navigate through the competition in the Scottish Premiership.
