Referee Darren Drysdale charged with improper conduct by FA after squaring up to Ipswich player Alan Judge

Referee Darren Drysdale has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after locking heads with Ipswich Town midfielder Alan Judge during their match with Northampton on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred late in the 0-0 draw at Portman Road as Judge protested being penalised and booked for simulation in the box.

Drysdale moved his head towards the midfielder in a heated exchange and he has now been charged by the FA.

A statement from them on Wednesday said: Darren Drysdale has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following last night’s EFL League One game between Ipswich Town FC and Northampton Town FC.

“It is alleged that the match official’s behaviour during the 90th minute of the game amounts to improper conduct and he has until Thursday 4 March 2021 to provide a response.”

Drysdale has apologised for the incident with Judge and said earlier on Wednesday afternoon: “I fully understand that it is important for us as referees to maintain our composure throughout the game and always engage with players in a professional manner.

“I’m sorry that I did not do that last night and I can only apologise to Alan and Ipswich Town.”

Judge’s yellow card was the fifth booking of the match and Ipswich’s Flynn Downes was sent off for violent conduct in the third-minute of stoppage-time in an ugly end to the contest.

“It should have been a penalty on Judgey at the end but it is a results business,” said Ipswich boss Paul Lambert. “The aftermath of that incident needs to be looked at.”

More to follow.