Gary Caldwell has until Wednesday to respond to two charges of misconduct aimed against him by the Football Association in the closing stages of Exeter City’s defeat at Wycombe Wanderers on New Year’s Day.

The Grecians boss was clearly unhappy at the controversial penalty awarded against his side in stoppage time, which was converted by Aaron Morley to give the Chairboys a 2-1 win against his side.

Caldwell was sent off by match referee Scott Simpson after being alerted to events on the touchline by fourth official Alan Dale. It is alleged that Caldwell acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards both officials, for which he has been charged.

READ MORE: Exeter City defender Cheick Diabate recalled from loan spell

READ MORE: Urgent warning to anyone removing a tree stump in their garden

A statement from the FA read: “ Exeter City ’s Gary Caldwell has been charged with two breaches of FA Rule E3.1 following their EFL League One match against Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday, January 1.

“It’s alleged that he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards both the match referee and the fourth official around the 93rd minute. Gary Caldwell has until Wednesday, January 8 to respond.”

Simpson’s decision to award a penalty – for an unintentional handball by Exeter’s Ed Francis – was one of several mystifying decisions he made in the game, which also included disallowing an Ilmari Niskanen goal in the first half of the game. Replays failed to show why the goal was disallowed with many questioning the sub-standard performance of Simpson on the day.

Due to his red card, Caldwell was not allowed to partake in his usual post-match press duties, but spoke about the incident the next day, in the build up to last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Bolton Wanderers.

“The ban after you get sent off is another ridiculous rule by the EFL, where I think supporters want to hear people’s opinions and want to hear reasons for what they see on the pitch. But I can’t speak,” Caldwell said.

“We don’t know what the referee thinks and I think it is poor. I don’t know why I was sent off because the ref didn’t tell me at the time, he hasn’t told me after and yet too many times, for me, we are getting hurt by referees who – in my opinion – aren’t capable of reffing at this level. It is costing us and it cost us again yesterday.”