[Sport] Referee charged by FA for ‘unprofessional’ incident with Ipswich Town player in League One match

[Dr@g0n]

A referee has been charged by the Football Association for his confrontation with an Ipswich Town player on Tuesday night in a League One match.

Darren Drysdale appeared to square up to Alan Judge and lean his head into the Republic of Ireland international after the midfielder’s appeal for a penalty had been turned down.

 

The 49-year-old Lincolnshire official has now apologised, and admitted he lost his “composure” during the incident.

“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,” Drysdale said in a statement released by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

 

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

A statement by the FA read: “Darren Drysdale has been charged with a break 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.”

 

 

The PGMOL statement added: “As The FA are now investigating the incident in line with their usual disciplinary process it would not be appropriate to make any further comments.”
 

The incident happened in the closing stages of the goalless draw between the hosts at Northampton Town at Portman Road.

Ipswich pair Flynn Downes and Jack Lankester and Northampton defender Lloyd Jones stepped in and calmed the situation before Drysdale booked Judge.