Brennan banned for life

Former Ireland lock Trevor Brennan has been 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 euros (£17,125), told to pay 5,000 euros (£3,425) compensation 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 the 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."