Referee Darren Drysdale has issued an apology for squaring-up to Town midfielder Alan Judge during last night’s 0-0 draw with Northampton at Portman Road.

The official appeared to react to Judge making a comment to him after penalising the Irishman for an alleged dive in the penalty area.

In a statement via Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the 49-year-old Lincolnshire referee said: “I can only apologise to Alan and Ipswich Town.

“I fully understand 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.”

A PGMOL spokesperson confirmed that the incident is being investigated by the FA: “In line with their usual disciplinary process, it would not be appropriate to make any further comments.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Esseeja added 14:26 - Feb 17 Why? There is nothing wrong with what he did at all, Collina often did it and he was a great referee.
-13

bringmeaKuqi added 14:30 - Feb 17 Any idea why other sites are saying the Downes red was a straight red for violent conduct? Surely that's an error. And mistaken identity reds are usually overturned quickly.
1

Trac70 added 14:31 - Feb 17 Another arrogant referee who thinks he's the dogs bollox!! His twitter page makes interesting reading and he has "history" with a few clubs, Bolton being one.
10

mib added 14:32 - Feb 17 esseeeja, I bet he wouldnt have had the guts to do that against someone like Roy Keane
3

Bert added 14:34 - Feb 17 Fair enough but I can see him being suspended for a while. Hopefully the club will receive clarification about who was booked and why because it is certainly unclear. If Downes was originally booked for touching the ref then the Northampton player is also guilty; not that I think their actions were wrong. They all looked dumbfounded. Perhaps the first yellow was for Judge after all and Downes was sent off later for foul language and not violet conduct because there was none. Pity we cannot talk about how good the football was, because it wasn't !

2

Trac70 added 14:35 - Feb 17 By the way before people start I know the twitter account isn't actually him (allegedly).
0

Bert added 14:35 - Feb 17 ... sorry violent, not violet. The latter was the colour of my face in disbelief at how poor we were.
1

1psw1ch added 14:39 - Feb 17 Who gives a f__k really,,, with the horse tripe going on at this club at the moment i couldn't care,,,
3

Cakeman added 15:02 - Feb 17 I hope this doesn't become a drama. Sure he was in the wrong and something certainly got to him in the heat of the moment. He has apologised and no one got hurt so let's move on.
10

BluedanW added 15:17 - Feb 17 I agree that he has apologised so let's move on. However Downes has a 2 match ban. So the ref should have at least an equal ban too
1

DannyITFC added 15:43 - Feb 17 He's apologised which is big of him, however if the EFL simply let this one slide without any repercussion for his actions it then opens the door for officials to behave like WWE wrestlers without reprimand, they already are overprotected IMO after making costly errors without being made accountable. That said there needs to be more respect for the officials regardless of the poor decisions they are making on a consistent basis particularly in League One, maybe introduce a 10 min Sin-Bin for players who verbally abuse officials? He's apologised, he needs to accept whatever disciplinary action the EFL will take (probably a ban of some sort) and learn from his mistake.

3

therein61 added 16:14 - Feb 17 Putting your head into a players face is totally out of order(i notice he picked the smallest one on the park) is disgraceful he should be suspended how many games would a player get if he did that to a ref??
5

therein61 added 16:18 - Feb 17 Picked on the smallest guy on the pitch effin coward ban him
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:21 - Feb 17 Apparently (Daily MIrror) Grealish described Refereee Drysdale's action in squaring up to Judge as "brilliant." That is pretty damn rich coming from a prize diver. Falling over deliberately at every opportunity is ruining the game, and refs seem to fall for it themselves all the time.
4

1psw1ch added 16:22 - Feb 17 We are the laughing stock of English football,,, Simon Jordan hit the nail on the head on talksport,,, we are in an awful situation and it's gonna get worse
0

StowTractorBoy added 16:30 - Feb 17 This referee should get at least a 3 match ban and a heavy fine. I somehow think he may get one or a two match ban and a warning. Bloke should be ashamed of himself.
3

runningout added 16:34 - Feb 17 Definitely No need for a apology. It was a little fall out
-2

BlueWax added 16:35 - Feb 17 Any apologies for laughing when sending Downes off?! He is sorry for it getting so much coverage and felt he needed to say something...sincerity certainly questionable!! As for (do you know who I am) Grealish, pull your socks up and keep your stupid thoughts to yourself....you should have been put in the slammer when months back!
2

raycrawfordswig added 16:45 - Feb 17 If a player had done that he would be crucified .The Ref needs his butt kicking.
2

Linkboy13 added 16:59 - Feb 17 He setting a bad example to the players on the pitch, soon they will be all acting like that ha ha.
1

northernblues added 18:02 - Feb 17 It's a shame that we dont have rugby style referees microphones would be interesting
0

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