Brennan is banned for life
Friday, 16 March 2007 17:47Former Ireland lock Trevor Brennan was today hit with a lifetime ban from rugby union by an independent disciplinary committee.
Brennan was charged with misconduct after entering a seating area during Toulouse's 28-13 Heineken Cup victory over Ulster in January and punching a supporter.
The hearing imposed the strongest sanctions available, issuing a lifetime suspension from the sport and ordering a lifetime ban on participation in any capacity in tournaments organised by ERC.
Brennan was also fined ¤25,000, told to pay ¤5,000 to Patrick Bamford, the fan he struck, and the costs of convening the hearing.
The 33-year-old had pre-empted the disciplinary hearing by announcing his retirement from the sport on Monday, but today's sanctions were still a clear indication of the severity of the incident.
An ERC statement read: 'It was the view of the committee that Mr Brennan's behaviour was completely unjustified and that he caused serious harm to an innocent spectator and significant damage to the image of rugby union.
'The committee could not envisage a more serious misconduct in relation to spectators and believed that the maximum permissible suspension was appropriate.'
