Brendan Rodgers faces being absent from the dugout for Celtic's trip to Ibrox next month.
The Hoops boss was this evening cited by the Scottish FA over his furious outburst at VAR official John Beaton and referee Don Robertson following his side's 2-0 loss to Hearts.
The SFA's compliance officer hit the 51-year-old with a notice of complaint for his breach of rule 72, after he blasted the pair's 'incompetence', insisting their officiating cost Celtic in the capital.
The hearing date with the disciplinary panel has been set for Thursday, Mach 28.
He could be hit with a minimum two-game ban, which would see the Irishman sit in the stands for Celtic's next games after that date - Livingston on March 31 and Rangers away on April 7.
It's believed that the Parkhead club are ready to fight the charges against Rodgers.
However, if he's found guilty, then John Kennedy could be the main voice for the Hoops players from the away dugout at Ibrox.
“My feeling is that the game was decided by officials on the field and outside of the field," Rodgers said post-match on Sunday. "I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt.
READ MORE: Rodgers cited by Scottish FA over furious Celtic VAR remarks
"But when I see that level of incompetence, the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game. In such a tight title race, which it is and it's fantastic and great to be involved in, that can make the difference.”
Rodgers’ comments send him on an inevitable collision course with the SFA compliance officer – with strict rules over managers questioning the competence of their officials.
Rule 72 states: "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 microblogging site, or in 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.”
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