Barnet boss gets nine-game ban for abusing female referee

Barnet manager Dean Brennan has been given a nine-game ban for verbally abusing a female referee and making reference to her gender.

Brennan was charged by the Football Association for the incident during their home defeat by Shrewsbury on 6 September, when he was sent off midway through the first half for dissent by referee Kirsty Dowle.

The 45-year-old denied the charge at a hearing but an independent commission found otherwise and issued the suspension as well as a £2,000 fine and mandatory education course.

“Throughout this case I have categorically denied the FA charge of discrimination,” Brennan said in a statement.

“Whilst the panel have come to their conclusion, which I have to respect, I do not agree with their decision.”

The charge of acting in an improper manner by using abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official was treated as an “aggravated breach” by the FA due to the reference – express or implied – made to gender.

Brennan took over at the League Two club in September 2021 and led them back to the EFL last season with promotion from the National League.

The ban means Brennan will be unable to take charge of the team from the dugout until the visit of Cambridge United on 28 March.

His statement continued to say that “there is a place in football for everyone”, while he thanked the club, chairman and owners as well as a representative from the League Managers’ Association and his family for their support.

“Personally, football has given me everything I have today; I owe football everything,” he said.

“It enabled me to meet my wife and create our family and friends.