Brennan verdict due on June 11

An independent appeal committee will deliver their verdict on Trevor Brennan’s misconduct charge on Monday June 11.

Chaired by Wyn Williams QC, the committee convened in Dublin today to hear testimony from Brennan himself, from several character references and from ERC’s disciplinary officer.

The panel has retired to consider the appeal and will announce its judgement in 10 days time.

The grounds for Brennan’s appeal have not been disclosed and it seemed there was little way back when an independent disciplinary hearing handed him a lifetime playing ban in March.

In the statement confirming the hardline suspension, disciplinary chiefs even noted they “could not envisage a more serious misconduct in relation to spectators”.

Brennan had been 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 pre-empted the original verdict by announcing his immediate retirement, but the sanctions imposed were a clear indication of the severity of the incident.

He was issued with a lifetime suspension from the sport and a lifetime ban on participation in any capacity in tournaments organised by ERC.

He was also fined €25,000, told to pay €5,000 compensation to Patrick Bamford – the fan he struck – and the costs of convening the hearing.

Bamford, 25, required medical treatment at the ground and on his return home to London and has since begun criminal and civil proceedings.

Brennan claimed he was provoked by derogatory chants during the game.