Referee Darren Drysdale has claimed that the abuse he received from Ipswich Town’s Alan Judge was the “worst he had experienced as a referee“.
Drysdale was officiating Ipswich’s League One game against Northampton Town last month when the incident occurred.
In the 90th minute, he appeared to square up to the player.
Judge had appealed for a penalty kick, which was turned down by Drysdale. He was then booked for simulation.
The referee has now been awarded a backdated four-match ban and a warning as to his future conduct. He was deemed to have committed a breach of FA Rule E3.
Drysdale details “tirade of abuse”
Drysdale told a hearing: “Alan Judge, in my opinion, exaggerates his fall in a desperate attempt to gain a penalty kick for his team.
“I then processed what had happened for a few seconds before blowing my whistle and decided to caution Alan Judge for an act of trying to deceive a match official.
“As I blew my whistle Alan Judge shouted aggressively in a loud voice at me and from a distance of only five metres: “It’s a f****** penalty you cheating bald c***!’
“Reacting completely out of character, I took exception to what I considered to be an offensive comment.
“I walked towards Alan Judge who continued his tirade of abuse as he then, what I deemed as, aggressively and provkingly pointed his finger towards my face and shouted: ‘You’re a f****** cheating c***!’
“I accept that I should not have moved my head towards Alan Judge as this only inflamed the situation.
“At no time was there any physical contact between myself and Alan Judge.”
Judge has denied using swear words or accusing the 50-year-old of being a cheat.
The Irishman claimed that the club’s media team has audio that backs him up.
After being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on February 17, Drysdale apologised for his actions in a statement.
Paul Lambert, who was Ipswich manager at the time, said the incident was “unacceptable“.
Drysdale has refereed in the EFL since 2004, having previously been an assistant referee.
The Lincolnshire-based official is also an RAF sergeant.
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