Referee Darren Drysdale squares up to Ipswich Town midfielder Alan Judge in bizarre incident

The incident happened in the closing stages of Ipswich’s goalless draw against Northampton at Portman Road.

After Judge had been given a yellow card, the Ipswich player approached the referee.

A confrontation between the two briefly ensued, with Drysdale appearing to move his head towards Judge, before Ipswich’s Flynn Downes and Jack Lankester and Northampton defender Lloyd Jones stepped in and calmed the situation.

There was a red card shortly afterwards, with Downes picking up a second yellow card.

The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday morning it is aware of the incident.

Judge walked away from the incident but continued his protests.

Ipswich boss Paul Lambert approached the officials at the end of the game to make his feelings clear.

Former referee Mark Halsey expects the incident to be investigated by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

He told The Sun: “Darren Drysdale showed a lack of self-control when he squared up to Ipswich's Alan Judge.

“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.”

The incident went viral following the match on Tuesday evening.

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