Former Forest Green boss Mark Cooper has been banned from the touchline for eight games.
Cooper has been fined £3,000 and ordered to attend a face-to-face education course for a breach of FA Rule E3 that occurred during Barrow’s EFL League Two game against Exeter City FC in August.
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.
Barrow issued their own statement in light of the news.
It said: “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 the 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.”
