REFEREE Darren Drysdale SQUARED UP to Ipswich ace Alan Judge as tempers flared in a bizarre incident against Northampton.
The game descended into a farce at Portman Road after Judge was booked for diving inside the area on 90 minutes.
Referee Darren Drysdale appeared to put his head towards Ipswich ace Alan Judge in a moment of madness at Portman RoadCredit: � Richard Calver – www.matchdayimages.com
The Tractor Boys midfielder protested strongly, pointing at Drysdale – prompting him to push his HEAD into Judge’s face.
Ipswich aces were forced to separate the heated fracas and hold the referee back.
Former Premier League ref Mark Halsey told SunSport that the men in the middle “should NEVER put themselves in that position.”
He added: “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”
Moments after the melee it went from bad to worse for the home side when skipper Flynn Downes was sent packing for two swift bookings in the same incident.
The first was for a midfield tangle and then for dissent in the aftermath.
It could have been more embarrassing for the hosts if the Cobblers, who were on top throughout, had taken one of their chances.
Thomas Holy’s heroics came in a one-sided first half as he denied both Jack Sowerby and Peter Kioso.
Mark Halsey’s view
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 happened in the final stages of the contestCredit: � Richard Calver – www.matchdayimages.com
Mark Marshall also dragged an effort wide for the visitors and it took the home side almost 80 minutes to muster an effort on target.
Alan Judge put fellow sub James Norwood clear but keeper Jonathan Mitchell used his left leg to block the shot.
The clash finished goalless which will do little to appease the disgruntled Ipswich supporters.
Furious fans set a fire outside the training ground during a protest calling for manager Paul Lambert to be sacked.
Ipswich are currently 11th in League One, four points off the play-offs.
Ipswich fans START FIRE in protest to get Paul Lambert sacked
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
