McInnes opts to appeal one-game touchline ban

DEREK McINNES is contesting an SFA touchline ban as he seeks to remain in the technical area for the duration of Aberdeen’s title run-in. The Pittodrie manager has been charged with misconduct by the governing body after protesting about a disallowed goal during last week’s 1-0 Premiership win at Dundee United. McInnes was sent to the stand by referee Bobby Madden — and the SFA now allege that he ‘used offensive, abusing and insulting language’ towards match officials. He was offered a fixed one-match touchline ban if he accepted the

charge. That has been rejected, however, with the case now set to go to a hearing in front of an independent panel on March 24. Aberdeen moved to within a point of Celtic at the top of the Premiership following Tuesday evening’s 2-1 win over Partick Thistle, although they have played a game more than the champions. They face nine crucial games between now and the end of the season, but McInnes could potentially be hit with a longer ban should the panel reject his stance on the incident at Tannadice. Aberdeen looked to have gone 2-0 up when Dundee United defender Paul Dixon turned the ball into his own net. However, Madden disallowed the goal and booked Graeme Shinnie for simulation during the build-up, even though the left-back seemed to have been toppled by Gavin Gunning. Speaking last week, McInnes (pictured) said: ‘I thought the goal should have stood and I was aggrieved that he was pulling it back for the penalty. ‘That was exasperating when we didn’t even get the penalty and my player was booked for simulation. ‘For me, that was clearly not the case. ‘If we had got that second goal, as we should have, we would have had a stranglehold on the game. ‘It was a big call but, thankfully, we don’t need to dwell on it too much because it didn’t have a bearing on the outcome. ‘I was wrong. The referee was wrong. But I have talked to Bobby Madden and the officials and I have apologised.’