Rangers have released a statement this evening to confirm that they will appeal the punishment meted out to Derek McInnes.
The now-Rangers boss has been hit with a four-game touchline ban (with one game suspended) for his comments made as Hearts manager when he critiqued the penalty awarded to Celtic at Fir Park on the penultimate matchday of last season.
McInnes described the call made by John Beaton – after he took the advice of VAR Andrew Dallas – as “actually quite disgusting”.
“I shouldn’t be commenting on another game, but having seen that, it feels like us against everybody.”
Rangers cite previous examples of lesser punishment
It was raw then, and it still is now.
The wounds are yet to heal, and the Scottish FA’s decision to hammer McInnes will open them further.
He is said to have fallen foul of the Scottish FA’s rule 72, which stipulates that no criticism should indicate “bias or incompetence” of match officials.
In relation to that, it’s interesting that Rangers have highlighted a precedent and previous examples of when others have used similar language and the punishment has not been as severe, or none has been applied at all.
Rangers’ statement confirmed the club “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.
It continued, “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.”
Derek McInnes set to miss two league games and one cup tie
As it stands, Derek McInnes will be absent from the dugout for the season opener at Tannadice, followed by the first home league game against Hibs and the League Cup round of 16 fixture on August 15/16.
With an appeal to follow, and the rest, we haven’t heard the last of this particular dispute.
