Men banned from running football club by the FA

Two men have been banned by the Football Association (FA) from running a club while police investigate them for sexual offences, a court has been told.

Barrie and Scott-Drewitt Barlow have been held in custody since being arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Police raided Maldon and Tiptree FC, which the couple, aged 57 and 32, bought in a "multi-million pound" deal in 2025, when their inquiries began in May.

Officials from the FA visited the defendants in prison on Friday and served them with an interim suspension order, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

This meant they were "prohibited from being involved in any activity in a football-related environment", prosecutor Claire Matthews said.

Jacqueline Carey KC, for Scott Drewitt-Barlow, added: "There is a sporting director who will have to step up if Scott is not allowed to maintain his involvement in the club."

The details were read out in court as Scott Drewitt-Barlow applied for bail earlier. However, his freedom bid was rejected by the judge.

The named owner of Maldon and Tiptree FC and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow's son, Aspen, was in court for the hearing.

Carey said he had £253,000 in his bank account and was willing to offer £25,000 to the court as a security payment, should Scott Drewitt-Barlow have been bailed.

The defendants, of Southwood Chase, Danbury, have been described in court as being "affluent" and owning properties in the UK and abroad.

They are accused of targeting and grooming young men across the country between 2013 and 2026.

Matthews said they were due to enter a plea on Friday, but this was adjourned until later in June.

She said: "Additional charges will be authorised soon by the CPS for multiple sexual offences involving a number of additional complaints.

"All of these are young men."

Two other men were charged as part of the investigation in May, which also involved searches of the Drewitt-Barlow's house and a pub in Braintree.

Richard Howard-Smith, 35, a town councillor in Maldon, and Eldred Reames, 24, both of Southwood Chase, Danbury, Essex, face charges including rape and sexual assault.

The FA has been approached for comment.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.