Eight game touchline ban for Barrow boss
17.02.2022
Barrow manager Mark Cooper has been given an EIGHT game touchline ban, fined £8k and been made to attend an education course by the FA.
The punishment for Cooper has been put in place after it was alleged he used abusive and/or insulting wording in the 91st minute of a League Two fixture against Exeter City back in August 2021. It's safe to say the decision hasn't gone down well with The Bluebirds camp ahead of their battle for EFL survival.
The FA's statement:
"Barrow AFC’s Mark Cooper has been banned from the touchline for eight games, fined £3,000 and ordered to attend a face-to-face education course for a breach of FA Rule E3 that occurred during their EFL League Two game against Exeter City FC on Tuesday 17 August 2021."
"It was alleged that the manager used abusive and/or insulting words in the 91st minute, which are contrary to FA Rule E3.1, and that these words constitute an 'aggravated breach', as defined in FA Rule E3.2 as they included a reference, whether express or implied, to gender."
"Mark Cooper denied these allegations but an independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found them to be proven and imposed his sanctions, which remain subject to appeal, after reviewing the available evidence. The written reasons for their decisions will be published in due course."
The League Two outfit have also since made a statement on the matter:
Barrow AFC's statement:
“The Club is aware of the decision made by the FA Regulatory Commission in the case of our Manager, Mark Cooper.
“Mark is obviously disappointed by this decision."
“Neither he nor the club have yet received the reasons for the decision, which will be considered with a view to appeal in due course.”
As it currently stands, Cooper will not be able to operate from the dugout for more than half of Barrow's remaining league fixtures, starting with Saturday's long trip to Devon to face Exeter City.
Source: fanbanter.co.uk
