Marc White Faces Six-Game Ban for Controversial Comments on Women Referees

Dorking Wanderers owner and manager Marc White has been handed a six-match touchline ban following a controversial comment he made about women referees on a podcast. The incident occurred during an interview on the Under the Cosh podcast before Dorking's 3-1 defeat against Weston-super-Mare last season, which marked White's 1,000th game in charge of the club.

During the interview, White made a remark about women referees, stating, "More women refs now, so you have to pay a bit more respect, do you know what I mean? You have to pay a bit more respect, like help them park." This comment was deemed by the Football Association (FA) as an "aggravated breach" of their rules due to its reference to gender, leading to the disciplinary action.

The FA's Decision

The FA charged White in May with using insulting or abusive words during the interview. The six-game ban will see White absent from the touchline for the first six matches of Dorking's National League South season. The club confirmed the suspension in a statement on their X account, acknowledging the comments were intended as humor but were inappropriate.

White's Controversial History

Marc White has been a prominent figure in non-league football since founding Dorking Wanderers in 1999. Known for his outspoken and often controversial nature, White has faced multiple disciplinary actions throughout his career. In the same Under the Cosh interview, he revealed he had been banned from 12 stadiums.

Dorking's Recent Performance

Last season, Dorking Wanderers finished sixth in the National League South and narrowly lost 4-3 to Boreham Wood in the play-offs. The team will now have to navigate the start of the new season without their manager on the sidelines.