Barnet manager Dean Brennan has been handed a nine-match ban over comments made to female referee Kirsty Dowle earlier in the season.
The 45-year-old was charged by the Football Association for verbal abuse and made reference to her gender during their home defeat by Shrewsbury on 6th September, when he was sent off during the first half for dissent by the referee.
He denied the charge at a hearing, but an independent commission found otherwise and have since. issued him with a nine-match suspension as well as a £2,000 fine and mandatory education course.
It means his next match on the touchline won’t be until the Bees take on Cambridge United on the 28th of March.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 12, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT – DEAN BRENNANhttps://t.co/N7W90NsV8y#BarnetFC🐝 pic.twitter.com/j7icVMcUOp
— Barnet FC 🐝 (@BarnetFC) February 12, 2026
FA STATEMENT:
Regulation and Discipline Update:
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.
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.
Dean Brennan subsequently denied the charge against him. The Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed a nine-match touchline suspension, mandatory education and £2,000 fine following a hearing.
The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Dean Brennan has been given a nine-match touchline suspension, mandatory education and a £2,000 fine following a charge under FA Rule E3 at Barnet FC’s EFL League Two fixture against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday 6 September.
Dean Brennan denied the charge but an independent Regulatory Commission imposed the sanctions following a hearing.
Barnet Football Club acknowledges the written reasons published by the FA (details of which will be made available once the case file is released) and will continue to support Dean moving forward.
Barnet FC Manager Dean Brennan has issued the following statement,
“Throughout this case I have categorically denied the FA charge of discrimination.
Whilst the panel have come to their conclusion, which I have to respect, I do not agree with their decision.
There is a place in football for everyone, it’s the greatest sport on the planet.
Personally, football has given me everything I have today; I owe football everything.
It enabled me to meet my wife and create our family and friends.
This made me the person I am today, whilst staying true to my Irish heritage, of which I am extremely proud.
I’d like to thank Lindsay Gordon at The LMA for all her support and I’d like to thank my legal representative Craig Harris for his support and expert guidance.
I’d also like to thank the staff at Barnet Football Club, my Chairman and The Kleanthous family for their full support throughout this time.
A special thanks goes to my wife and family, I love you all.
Live for today, learn from yesterday, look forward to tomorrow.
God Bless.”
No further comment will be made at this time.
Barnet currently sit 11th in League Two, with 46 points from 30 games played, and are 3 points from the playoff places.
Speaking to Barnet TV post-match, Brennan said: “For us to be in the EFL, and I think we’re a stable football club in the EFL now, we have to be ruthless. I thought in the second half we were ruthless. Our play was outstanding, and the bravery we showed through [Anthony] Hartigan and Nnamdi [Ofoborh] playing on the ball and just continuing the overloads.
“Our progression with the ball could have been better in the first half through the thirds. I wanted the back four plus the two midfield players to progress the ball up the pitch better. There are little bits like that which we have to do better, but if you told me we were going to win 3-1 here today, I’d have snapped your hand off.
“It was a great performance and good result.”
On if he thought the pitch condition had an impact on his team’s display: “I think the conditions helped us because it meant we could move the ball slicker. I have to give the Walsall groundstaff a major pat on the back for getting the game on. It was amazing.
“It was great to see a referee come here at 9am – it was common sense in the English winter months. A lot of credit had to go to the referee today for coming down so early this morning to get the game on and for the groundstaff who have done a fantastic job.”
On the first half and took the lead: “We got into some good areas. It was a great goal, and we went back through the horseshoe several times, as we wanted to overload the midfield. To be fair to Senior, he’s been amazing for us this year. We like attack-minded full-backs, so that’s brilliant for him,” said Brennan.
“I know he played for Bolton in the EFL, but that’s full credit to him and his family. He lives his life right. He’s a clean, committed and low-maintenance player. He’s had a fantastic start to his Barnet career. I’m delighted for him.”
🗣️ “I thought second-half we were ruthless and our play was outstanding!”
Didn’t catch Dean Brennan’s post-match thoughts from Saturday’s win over Walsall?
Log into BFC TV to hear his thoughts before we look ahead to Cheltenham Town! 📺 https://t.co/iExwuSfmYu#BarnetFC🐝 pic.twitter.com/VfVhfwi9QB
— Barnet FC 🐝 (@BarnetFC) February 10, 2026
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