The English Football Association has suspended Barnet FC's coach, Dean Brennan, for nine matches after he was accused of verbally insulting referee Kirsty Dowd during a match against Shrewsbury Town on September 6, 2025. The match, part of the English Football League Two, ended in a 1-3 loss for Barnet at home. Referee Dowd sent off Brennan during the game, alleging that he made inappropriate comments about her gender as part of the verbal abuse directed at her.

In addition to the suspension, the Football Association has fined Brennan $2,540 and mandated that he attend a compulsory education course about appropriate conduct. While Brennan has denied all allegations, an independent committee concluded that his actions constituted a severe breach of the rules regarding unacceptable behavior, particularly those related to gender-based discrimination, which warrants harsher penalties than typically applied in such cases. The standard minimum suspension for proven discrimination has been five matches since 2013.

Barnet FC management has stated that they are considering their response to this decision by the Football Association, indicating the club's awareness of the impact of this incident on their reputation and the necessary steps they might take in regard to Brennan's future with the team. The situation highlights the ongoing issues of sexism in sports and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially in positions of leadership and influence.