The SFA are set to probe Derek McInnes’ comments about Celtic’s penalty call against Motherwell.
McInnes labelled the decision ‘disgusting’ in a hot-headed interview after his players’ celebrations of a win over Falkirk were dampened by the news of Celtic’s winner.
Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick, setting up a mouth-watering title-deciding game at Parkhead on Saturday.
The Tynecastle boss also claimed that his team felt that they were “against everyone”, now seemingly landing him in hot water.
BE HONEST: Do you think Celtic’s late penalty should’ve been given…? 👀
Derek McInnes chance of Celtic Park ban clarified after media controversy
As reported by the Daily Mail, the SFA are set to probe the Hearts boss’ comments about the VAR intervention at Fir Park.
However, the hearing will not be fast-tracked, meaning that McInnes will be in the dugout for Saturday’s game in Glasgow.
READ MORE: Paul Lambert fires ‘don’t worry about Celtic’ response to Derek McInnes penalty shout
The protocol of the SFA’s judicial reads: “No recognised football body, club, official, team official or other member of team staff, player or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA…
“Shall in an interview, a ‘blog’ on the internet, on a social networking or micro- blogging sitein any other manner calculated or likely to lead to publicity (i) 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 on the part of such match official…
“Or (ii)make remarks about such match official(s) which impinge on his character.”
“For the avoidance of doubt this Rule applies (i) whether reported to the Scottish FA by a match official for Misconduct or otherwise, and (ii) where remarks are brought to the Scottish FA’s attention, or of which the Scottish FA becomes aware, by whatever manner or means.
“There shall be a presumption that any material published in such manner was published in the name of and/or with the authority of the person or body bearing to have published the material.”
Wordy and difficult to understand, but the criteria of “implying bias or incompetence” is unlikely to apply to McInnes, despite the strength of his words.
After the DRAMATIC win over Motherwell, give us your predictions for Celtic’s title showdown vs Hearts 👇
If Celtic win, they win the league…
Derek McInnes on Celtic penalty call: a recap
Speaking to the media after the game, McInnes’ exact words were: “Having seen it again, I think it’s disgusting, I think it is.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. But we are up against it. We are up against everybody, and we will be ready for Saturday.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. There were two more shouts for a penalty kick in our game against Motherwell. If I were Motherwell, I would be really disappointed in that, having seen it again.”
McInnes also shared that all his players wanted to know was the score from the Celtic game, and when he heard that a penalty call had gone to VAR, he just knew what was about to happen.
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