Barnet manager Dean Brennan has received a nine-game touchline ban and a £2,000 fine from the Football Association. The sanction follows an incident where Brennan verbally abused referee Kirsty Dowle, with reference to her gender. This marks the first time an English Football League manager has faced such a charge for sexist comments towards an official.
The incident took place during Barnet's 3-1 home defeat against Shrewsbury Town on September 6. Referee Dowle sent Brennan off for dissent midway through the first half, and his subsequent comments were recorded in her post-match report, triggering an FA investigation.
Brennan was charged in December with an "Aggravated Breach" of FA Rule E3.2, which covers discriminatory conduct. Despite his denial, a regulatory commission found the charge proven following a hearing. The FA introduced a minimum six-match ban for proven cases of discrimination in 2019.
The 45-year-old manager stated he respects the panel's conclusion but does not agree with their decision.
