REFEREE Darren Drysdale has been charged with improper conduct over his confrontation with Ipswich midfielder Alan Judge, the Football Association has announced.

The 49-year-old Lincolnshire official appeared to square up to Judge and lean his head into the Republic of Ireland international after the midfielder’s appeal for a penalty had been turned down during Ipswich’s goalless draw with Northampton on Tuesday evening.

Drysdale apologised to both Judge and Ipswich for his actions on Wednesday afternoon but the FA has now charged him with breach of improper conduct.

An FA statement read: “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 is due to take charge of Southend United's clash with Bolton Wanderers at Roots Hall this weekend.