Blues midfielder Alan Judge has angrily denied referee Darren Drysdale’s claim he used the C-word in the lead-up to the official squaring up to the Republic of Ireland international in the Blues' 0-0 home draw with Northampton last month.

Earlier today, Drysdale was handed a backdated ban and a warning regarding his future conduct by an FA independent regulatory commission having admitted improper conduct relating to the incident which took place in the final minute of the Cobblers' visit.

In his statement to the commission, Drysdale claimed Judge, having been denied a spot-kick for what the official felt was a dive, said ‘It’s a f***ing penalty you cheating bald c***!’, and that he later added, ‘You're a fucking cheating c**!”.

However, Judge, who was booked for the alleged simulation, strongly disputes the 50-year-old official’s version of events.

“I said the incident was over as far as I was concerned when I walked off the pitch and that I wasn’t looking for an apology,” he told the club site.

“I didn’t want to make anything of it because it’s a tough job being a referee but I’m not going to keep quiet when I’ve been accused of calling the referee a cheat and using the C-word.

“I’ll admit using the F-word but I said to him ‘you have got to be f***** joking me and I said that a couple of times to him. I never used the C-word. I don't use that word and I didn't call him a cheat.”

Neither Judge nor Town gave an account of the incident to the commission with Judge having previously said that the matter was closed as far as he was concerned when he left the field, while he recently suffered a family bereavement.

“My mum passed away last week - which is far more important than this - and I don’t need this hassle to be honest,” he added.

“Like I said, the matter was closed but I’ve got a decent reputation in the game and I won’t stand by and be accused of saying something I didn’t and not responding.

“Our media team have got some audio and it backs me up. Some people have said I should have come out straightaway and explained what I said but I didn’t want to do that.

“I was trying to help Darren. I said the matter was finished and it was but I have to make it clear now that I totally dispute what has been said by the referee.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Kickingblock added 10:27 - Mar 12 The ref should be used to backchat, he needs thicker skin. Squaring up to a player during a professional match is well below the conduct of a decent match official. See you next Tuesday? Probably.
4

Bert added 10:38 - Mar 12 A great pity that the powers that be don't transfer the culture of rugby to football. As it stands, abuse and cheating will carry on without addressing the issue. In this instance the referee and the player must take their proportion of blame.
3

Reecex28 added 11:06 - Mar 12 Ref was always going to try and justify his actions and it was in his interests to make what Judge said as bad as it could be. If there is a recording and ref is found to have been lying then ban him for rest of the season. Can understand club/Judge just wanted to move on but I believe ref has dug a bigger hole for himself
5

ChimayBlue added 11:11 - Mar 12 I might be old fashioned, but direct or indirect swearing on a football pitch should warrant a red card? What has happened to the game?
2

SickParrot added 11:12 - Mar 12 If Drysdale's account is correct he would have sent Judge off, so I do believe Judge's version. Unfortunately, because neither the player or the club made a formal complaint about the ref it looked as if Judge had something to hide and Drysdale has compounded his original offence by taking advantage of this.
4

grumpyoldman added 11:13 - Mar 12 If they believe the refs account, the FA would ask for a written report and treat it as a sending off for “foul and abusive language to a match official”. Otherwise the ref is guilty of failing in his duties as a match official and should be down graded as a consequence.
5

CraigEdwards added 13:01 - Mar 12 C**t are useful
0

midastouch added 14:35 - Mar 12 Judge showed class in his post-match response to this incident. The ref however strikes me as saying whatever he thinks will minimise the damage to his career. Call me partisan but I'm inclined to believe Judge's version of events.
1

TractorRoyNo1 added 14:38 - Mar 12 It's time refs are mixed-up as in rugby and cricket
0

Monkey_Blue added 17:18 - Mar 12 It was a clear penalty and I would have been furious!! I bollck£d paul Goddard for giving a terrible free-kick against me for a brilliant tackle at Portman Road.... but if any player used that language against a ref they would have been sent off. Tough job but doesn't make every referee a decent or honest person. Look at what power attracts in terms of some Police officers. I think he's embarrassed himself and tried to lie his way out of it:

1

gosblue added 17:54 - Mar 12 Tommy Doherty used to tell a funny story about George Best: George Best - ‘Hey ref, if I called you a c**t, you'd send me off right?' Ref - ‘yes I would'. Bestie - ‘But if I thought you were a c**t, you couldn't send me off right?' Ref - ‘That's right.' GB - ‘Well ref, I think you're a C**t!' Ref: ‘I think I'll send you off then.' I would just love that to be a true story.

1

wokingblue added 18:36 - Mar 12 OK lets not get all Meghan and Harry. Its a game and no one died. We'll never know what was said so lets move on.
0

Westy added 18:41 - Mar 12 Love It.
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jas0999 added 19:17 - Mar 12 So of one. Half a dozen of another. I do hope Judge wasn't arguing with the ref.
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shakytown added 22:06 - Mar 12 The real problem is with the players who cheat and dive then roll around on the ground squealing like little girls. Makes it almost impossible for refs to do their job with such pathetic childishness. These slimy little maggots should be reviewed and fined post match when its so obvious they are faking injury. Cheating is cheating no matter what anyone says.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 11:41 - Mar 13 lets face it Judge is NOT going to say , yes i did say that is he, so ,its time to move on.
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