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.

Photo: Matchday Images

naenormalblues added 00:21 - Feb 17 Got to say though our players & manager are doing my head in constantly giving referees abuse. It's why Downes got sent off and it's why so many refereeing decisions go against us because refs don't want to give us penalties and stuff. Not condoning the ref's actions but the players and staff at ITFC need to wind their necks in
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Bert added 00:24 - Feb 17 He actually had a decent game in many respects but he will no doubt be punished for this. Judge behaved properly. Will Downes first yellow be rescinded because of this ? I doubt it.
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90z added 01:28 - Feb 17 Best bit of entertainment from the game
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 02:20 - Feb 17 I wonder what's going on. This seems really out of character for such an experienced ref. To have gone off like that, that sounds like it may be a medical issue, possibly blood sugar off...
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stopmoaning added 06:24 - Feb 17 Hope he is just told off and not struck off, it wasn't that bad.
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spanishblue added 07:20 - Feb 17 Just another strange refereeing decision beginning to think they all hate us how many times in the last few years have we been subjected to terrible decisions beginning with the tackle on David. McGoldrick the thigh splitting one,in the street would of been jail time.Anyway surely he's getting the sack after that
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Northstandveteran added 07:33 - Feb 17 I've always thought that football should follow the example of rugby when it comes to the referee. Footballers challenge the officials on every decision showing no respect which is the complete opposite to rugby. In this particular case, why would a sergeant in the military tolerate whatever abuse he was receiving? He wouldn't in any other situation other than on a football pitch. The discipline at this club is just adding to the list of embarrassments that is tearing the traditions of Ipswich town apart.

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chepstowblue added 08:11 - Feb 17 I imagine this fella could deck the majority of our squad. Footballers in the main are unintelligent entitled little sh*ts who wouldnt have a clue how to scrap it out on their own, acting tough with the back up of 10 team mates. This has been long overdue, and its good to see.
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runningout added 08:26 - Feb 17 We are a disgrace all over place. The ref should not Be hounded out for this
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Michael101 added 08:29 - Feb 17 Didn't see this incerdet but going on how some of the prima donas in the perm behave in surprised this hasn't happened before now.
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Michael101 added 08:46 - Feb 17 BBC website second downs got a straight red for violet conduct??
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Fatboy added 09:20 - Feb 17 @Michael101 On the highlights you can see Downes gets a second yellow and it appears to be for dissent - his reaction to the ref giving a foul against him.
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EricGatesShinpad added 09:50 - Feb 17 Just about sums our season up.... even the referees are lining up against us..... A decent management team would turn that to our collective advantage.... but no we just get individual pettiness and probably the worst discipline record I can recall in a long time...
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PortmanTerrorist added 09:54 - Feb 17 Bottom line is that Flynn rec 2 yellow cards (first after the non-penalty) for dissent. He is new to the role and perhaps tried to emulate what Chambers may have done and most likely been harshly judged due to his age as the first yellow was a throw-away by the ref. Either way the Flynn did not too much wrong, the ref probably got it right and just about restrained himself, and Judge needs to put more energy into being consistent at this CLUB for the first time with us !

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Sixto6 added 09:57 - Feb 17 Ref seemed pretty pleased to send Flynn off !
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Bert added 10:14 - Feb 17 Looking at this again, it would seem that Downes as Captain was right to attempt to move the ref away from squaring up to Judge. Two Northampton players did the same in what was an extraordinary incident. In normal circumstances anyone touching the ref would get a yellow but in this instance Downes reaction is warranted after the display of aggression by the ref. That said, I hope the ref's career is not too damaged as he is a cut above the rest in this league.

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blues1 added 10:42 - Feb 17 Sorry, but cant get why anyone is defending the referee over this. Regardless of any players behaviour, referees cannot behave that way. If they do, then the game is finished. All judge did was walk towards him pointing at him, obviously saying something about the alleged foul. For the referee to put his head into his face, and with the aggressive look on his face as he did it is completely wrong. If a player did that, hed get a red card and a 3 match ban. The ref should get the same ban. If he doesnt, that will set a precedent for how referees can behave.

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TimmyH added 10:46 - Feb 17 With the absence of supporters it is quite amazing how much pressure players with some abuse hound the referees!...in this instance I believe the ref called it wrong, that didn't look like simulation to me, if you want real simulation go to the Premiership.
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blueboy1981 added 13:23 - Feb 17 Disgraceful conduct from an Official - whatever anyone says.
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