EFL manager issued nine-match ban after comment to female referee

He will not be on the touchline until 28 March.

Barnet boss, Dean Brennan, was charged by The Football Association after being sent off in the first-half of the 3-1 defeat to Shrewsbury Town.

Given his marching orders for dissent, it was alleged that he made reference to the official's gender.

He denied the charge, though an independent commission did find that there was an "aggravated breach" following a hearing.

"An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Barnet FC's Dean Brennan for breaching FA Rule E3 during their EFL League Two fixture on Saturday 6 September 2025 against Shrewsbury Town FC," an FA spokesperson said.

"It was alleged that the manager acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official, contrary to FA Rule E3.1. It was further alleged that this conduct constitutes an 'Aggravated Breach', which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to gender."

After 2013, the FA's minimum punishments for cases in which discrimination is proven is for at least five matches.

Brennan has been now banned for nine games and will therefore not be on the touchline until the fixture with Cambridge United on 28 March.

Also, he has been given a £2,000 fine and must attend a mandatory education course.