Former Premier League official Mark Halsey has accused referee Darren Drysdale of a “lack of self-control in the incident in which he squared up to Town midfielder Alan Judge during the 0-0 draw with Northampton and expects the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to launch an investigation.
Drysdale pushed his face into Judge’s as he booked the Irishman for what he saw as a dive and had to be held back by shocked players, among them Flynn Downes who appears to be shown his first yellow card for doing so.
"Darren Drysdale showed a lack of self-control when he squared up to Ipswich's Alan Judge,” Halsey told The Sun.
"Irrespective of what has gone before in the match, referees should never put themselves in that position.
"Discipline is vital for an official and the footage and pictures from Portman Road did not look good as players from both teams ushered the experienced Drysdale away.
"I'm sure the PGMOL will conduct an investigation into what happened and it will be interesting to see if Ipswich now make a complaint to the EFL.”
Drysdale, 49 and a sergeant in the RAF based at Waddington in Lincolnshire, has been refereeing since 1988, and was appointed to the National List of referees covering EFL games in 2004.
He was appointed a Premier League assistant referee in 1998 and was an assistant at the 2000 FA Cup final. He has also been a FIFA and UEFA assistant referee.