Referee Darren Drysdale is called in for questioning by bosses after SQUARING UP to Ipswich player

Referee Darren Drysdale is facing a grilling from refereeing governing body PGMOL after he appeared to lean in on Ipswich Town player Alan Judge with his head on Tuesday night. 

The 49-year-old squared up to Irish midfielder Judge after his appeal for a penalty was rejected during the Blues’ League One tie with Northampton. The pair had to be broken up by two Ipswich players and Northampton’s Lloyd Jones.

The EFL have confirmed to Sportsmail that they are aware of the incident and that the PGMOL are in discussion with all parties. The FA say they too are aware of the incident.   

Ipswich have demanded an investigation after referee Darren Drysdale appeared to lean into the head of Blues player Alan Judge in Tuesday’s League One tie with Northampton

Drysdale was involved in the scuffle when he refused to give Ipswich a penalty on Tuesday

Ipswich boss Paul Lambert confirmed that the club contacted the EFL over the alleged incident and the Blues have demanded an investigation into the matter. 

Lambert told talkSPORT on Wednesday: ‘I’ve texted Mike Jones (EFL head of referees) this morning to say, ‘Have a look at the footage of the head thing.’

‘To me, in my opinion, it looks as if the referee went in there and I said to him after the game, ‘Did you put your head in my player?’

‘He couldn’t answer it and that’s the reason I spoke to Mike. I haven’t seen that in a long, long while.’

Both Judge and Drysdale had to be separated by several players as the scuffle continued

Paul Lambert revealed he contacted the EFL to complain about Tuesday’s incident

The official booked Judge for simulation after the scuffle, while the referee also sent off Blues player Flynn Downes for a second bookable offence in stoppage time.   

Drysdale is in line to take charge of Southend United’s match with Bolton Wanderers this weekend though the official’s involvement in the game is now in doubt after these allegations. 

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey told The Sun that Drysdale ‘should NEVER put himself in that position’ at Portman Road.

Drysdale (right) sent off Ipswich’s Flynn Downes (far left) in the 0-0 draw at Portman Road

Halsey said: ‘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 49-year-old became a Football League referee in 1996 and officiated in the top-flight two years later. He is also a regular assistant referee in FIFA and UEFA competitions. 

He was an assistant referee to Graham Poll in the 2000 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Aston Villa – his first experience as an official in the annual Wembley event. 

Drysdale is also a RAF Sergeant veteran and was stationed in Iraq, Libya and Cyprus in his military career.

Drysdale has also worked as an RAF Sergeant alongside his refereeing