ERC hands Brennan a lifetime ban for punching Ulster fan

FORMER Ireland lock Trevor Brennan was yesterday handed a lifetime playing ban, with disciplinary chiefs noting they “could not envisage a more serious misconduct in relation to spectators”.

Brennan was called before the independent hearing in London after being accused of entering a seating area during Toulouse’s 28-13 Heineken Cup victory over Ulster in January and punching a supporter.

The 33-year-old had already trumped the verdict by announcing his immediate retirement earlier in the week, but the sanctions imposed were a clear indication of the severity of the incident.