EX-footballer Daniel Senda has been suspended from all football-related activity for four years after assaulting two women on a coaching course in June 2023.
The Football Association said it was a “shocking case” and that they were “deeply sorry” to the two women involved.
An independent regulatory commission panel imposed the punishment on Senda following a hearing. The panel said that Senda inappropriately touched the two women in a bar.
The women reported the incidents to those running the course and Senda was asked to leave.
An FA spokesperson said: “Women deserve to be involved in professional football without the fear of any form of abuse. This was a shocking case, and we investigated the very serious allegations as soon as we were made aware of them.
“We thank the victims for reporting the incidents to us, and supporting the investigation through to its conclusion, and we are deeply sorry that they endured such a terrible experience.
“The behaviour shown by Daniel Senda in June 2023 will not be tolerated. We will investigate all allegations of sexual assault in a football environment which are reported to us – usually working with the police, but in this case, the incidents happened overseas so were not within the jurisdiction of UK law enforcement.
“We hope that the very lengthy ban serves as a strong deterrent, and a clear signal that women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punished.”
The BBC reported that before he left the course Senda asked to meet the women to apologise but one of the women felt “railroaded” into attending.
Senda made 439 professional appearances for Wycombe Wanderers, Millwall, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and Barnet.
He joined Charlton Athletic last May as an assistant manager but left when first-team boss Dean Holden was sacked in August.
