Four-game ban for Brett over offensive tweets

Cowdenbeath player Dean Brett has been handed an immediate four-match ban following a SFA investigation into alleged offensive tweets, writes Craig Smith.

The 24-year-old, who has already been suspended from the Fife club amid gambling claims, was found to be in breach of the SFA’s disciplinary rules on social media and will serve an immediate suspension.

The defender has also been given a further four-game ban which has been suspended for 12 months.

His club last night confirmed that the SFA had investigated complaints from two organisations concerned with equality issues over Brett’s Twitter account – specifically in relation to alleged offensive messages posted on the site.

A Cowdenbeath spokesperson said: “Following a hearing at Hampden Park, the tribunal found that between May 23 2016 and November 5 2016 Dean made comments upon a social networking site, namely Twitter, that were of a discriminatory, and offensive nature, based upon sexual orientation as well as comments that were otherwise of an offensive nature.

“Thus Dean Brett was in breach of disciplinary rule 73 of the SFA’s disciplinary rules.

“The outcome now is that an eight-match suspension will apply as follows – four matches immediate.

“Thereafter four matches suspended for 12 months and to only take effect in the event that Dean commits a further breach of disciplinary rule 73 before January 16 2018; and/or the tweets agreed by the parties at the hearing of January 16 2017 as having breached disciplinary rule 73 are not removed by Dean Brett from his Twitter account by 5pm on January 17 2017; and/or Dean fails to produce evidence, before January 16 2018 to the judicial panel secretary that he attended training upon a) the use of social media and b) equality issues.”

Brett is already currently suspended by the Fife club after allegations of 2,787 bets on 6,369 matches emerged.

The wagers include 65 bets on Cowdenbeath games, including eight on matches involving the Blue Brazil and five in which he himself was playing.

The gambling contravenes SFA rules that prohibit players, coaches, club officials and referees in Scotland from betting on football anywhere in the world.

It has emerged that the governing body’s compliance officer Tony McGlennan has served Brett with a notice of complaint covering a series of rule breaches dating back to season 2011-12, with a principal hearing date set for March 16.

The full-back is facing the possibility of a heavy fine and/or major suspension, given the number of bets placed and the period covered by the charges.

However, with Brett having seen both his partner and premature baby pass away within four months of each other in 2014 and 2015, it is expected the player’s previous record, character and personal circumstances will be taken into account by the panel members.

In the meantime, Brett is awaiting a ruling from Cowdenbeath on his future with his club side.

He attended a disciplinary hearing in front of manager Liam Fox and club officials on Tuesday night but no decision was made.

Dean Brett: suspended by Cowden over betting.