Rangers manager Derek McInnes charged by Scottish Football Association for comments on Celtic’s penalty

Derek McInnes, the newly appointed Rangers manager, is facing disciplinary action from the Scottish Football Association for his comments on the controversial penalty awarded to Celtic in their match against Motherwell.

The Scottish Football Association has issued a notice of complaint to Derek McInnes, the former Hearts manager and newly appointed Rangers boss, over comments he made regarding a contentious penalty awarded to Celtic. This incident, which occurred in the penultimate game of the Premiership season, has significant implications for the title race.

The penalty in question was awarded in the 96th minute by referee John Beaton after a VAR review, leading to Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the winning goal for Celtic in their 3-2 victory over Motherwell. This result allowed Celtic to secure the league title on the final day with a victory over Hearts, rather than needing a three-goal margin had they remained three points behind.

The Controversial Penalty and Its Impact

The decision to award the penalty to Celtic sparked considerable debate. The referee penalized Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson for a handball, a decision that was scrutinized and discussed widely. The implications were immense, as it enabled Celtic to clinch the title with a more manageable victory over Hearts, ultimately denying Hearts a historic first championship in 66 years.

Celtic went on to defeat Hearts 3-1 at Parkhead, securing their fifth successive title. The controversy surrounding the penalty has been a hot topic among fans and officials alike.

McInnes’ Comments and the SFA’s Response

Derek McInnes, who recently left Hearts to join Rangers, was vocal in his criticism of the penalty. He described the award as disgusting and expressed his disbelief, stating, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. He further commented, But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody.

The Scottish Football Association has charged McInnes with breaching Disciplinary Rule 72, which addresses comments that indicate bias or incompetence on the part of match officials or impinge on their character. The disciplinary hearing is scheduled for July 16.

Additional Disciplinary Actions

In addition to McInnes, Motherwell Football Club and their midfielder Elliot Watt have also been served with notices of complaint. These relate to social media posts and comments made in the aftermath of the Celtic match. The SFA’s actions highlight the seriousness with which they view the comments and their potential impact on the integrity of the game.

The outcome of these disciplinary actions will be closely watched, as they could set a precedent for future incidents involving comments on match officials’ decisions. The controversy surrounding the penalty and the subsequent reactions from managers and players underscore the passionate and often contentious nature of Scottish football.