Rangers have announced they will appeal after Derek McInnes was hit with a four-game touchline ban for branding the decision to award Celtic a penalty "disgusting" last season.
Background to the ban
The 55-year-old - then in charge at Hearts - was asked for his view on the controversial call to award the Hoops a last-gasp spot-kick away to Motherwell in the penultimate game of last season following a 3-0 win over Falkirk.
Andrew Dallas had urged John Beaton to award Martin O'Neill's men a penalty deep into stoppage time against Motherwell - which was scored by Kelechi Iheanacho to win the game 3-2. Had the game ended in a draw, Celtic would have had to win by at least three goals over McInnes' Hearts on the final day to claim the Premiership title.
Sanction and appeal
His post-game comments will see him watch from the stands for three Rangers games after his disciplinary hearing – with a further one suspended. But Ibrox chiefs have now announced they will appeal the SFA ruling.
A statement read: "Rangers will appeal the sanction imposed on Derek McInnes by the Scottish FA for comments made last season. We do not believe Derek’s view on a match-defining decision amounted to an attack on the competence or integrity of match officials. His comments were directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials. Considered fairly and in context, Derek’s comments did not allege bias, incompetence or dishonesty.
"His concerns were widely shared by other commentators across the UK. The Scottish FA’s independent Key Match Incident Panel subsequently concluded that the referee’s original decision was correct and that VAR should not have intervened.
"Similar language has previously been used in Scottish football by others with lesser disciplinary action or without any action at all, raising legitimate questions about consistency, precedent and the application of the rules.
"Although the comments pre-dated Derek’s appointment, the club believes the issue at stake is important and must be challenged. Respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not competing principles. Managers, players and clubs must be able to speak honestly about major decisions if Scottish football is serious about raising standards and maintaining trust. Scrutiny, transparency and accountability should be seen as part of improving standards, not as a threat to them."
