Celtic manager Gordon Strachan must serve a two-match touchline ban following a Scottish Football Association hearing into his dismissal against Hearts in April.
Strachan's appeal over Stuart Dougal's decision to banish him to the stands during the 3-1 defeat at Parkhead was heard by an SFA panel at Hampden.
He served a two-match touchline ban at the start of last season, and under SFA rules a second offence in a rolling three-year period automatically results in a four-match ban.
However Strachan appealed against the sanction and, although he was not cleared, the ban was altered to two games.
The April incident saw Strachan sent to the stands after Hearts scored their third goal in a 3-1 win at Celtic Park.
The Celtic boss was involved in what appeared to be an exchange of words as Hearts substitute Neil McCann prepared to come on.
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Strachan left Hampden this afternoon without commenting on the reduced suspension, although a statement was expected from Celtic later.
It is not known how today's outcome will affect the Celtic manager's punishment for his most recent sending-off, at Aberdeen last month, against which he has also appealed.
Based on the incremental punishment scale which sees a four-match ban handed out for a second infringement, a third offence within three years would typically result in a six-game exile from the bench.
Strachan claimed at the time of his second dismissal against Hearts than he was in the dark over the reason behind the decision.
He said in April: "It could have been sarcasm but there were no swear words directed to the referee whatsoever and the fourth official can back that up.
"It cannot be for aggressive behaviour, it cannot be for swearing because I never swore, I was speaking to Neil McCann."
He appealed against his dismissal at Pittodrie after a dispute with a steward towards the end of Celtic's 3-1 win on August 19.
The SFA would not reveal the reason behind that decision at Aberdeen, but Strachan claimed referee Charlie Richmond had sympathy with him and would back him in his report.
mfl
He served a two-match touchline ban at the start of last season, and under SFA rules a second offence in a rolling three-year period automatically results in a four-match ban.
However Strachan appealed against the sanction and, although he was not cleared, the ban was altered to two games.
The April incident saw Strachan sent to the stands after Hearts scored their third goal in a 3-1 win at Celtic Park.
The Celtic boss was involved in what appeared to be an exchange of words as Hearts substitute Neil McCann prepared to come on.
mfl
Strachan left Hampden this afternoon without commenting on the reduced suspension, although a statement was expected from Celtic later.
It is not known how today's outcome will affect the Celtic manager's punishment for his most recent sending-off, at Aberdeen last month, against which he has also appealed.
Based on the incremental punishment scale which sees a four-match ban handed out for a second infringement, a third offence within three years would typically result in a six-game exile from the bench.
Strachan claimed at the time of his second dismissal against Hearts than he was in the dark over the reason behind the decision.
He said in April: "It could have been sarcasm but there were no swear words directed to the referee whatsoever and the fourth official can back that up.
"It cannot be for aggressive behaviour, it cannot be for swearing because I never swore, I was speaking to Neil McCann."
He appealed against his dismissal at Pittodrie after a dispute with a steward towards the end of Celtic's 3-1 win on August 19.
The SFA would not reveal the reason behind that decision at Aberdeen, but Strachan claimed referee Charlie Richmond had sympathy with him and would back him in his report.
mfl
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