Angry Judge strongly disputes Drysdale's version of events in Cobblers fixture

Ipswich Town midfielder Alan Judge has released a statement angrily refuting Darren Drysdale's version of events at the end of last month's game against Northampton.

On Thursday, the Lincolnshire official was given a backdated suspension and warned about his future conduct after squaring up to Judge in the closing stages of the League One fixture at Portman Road.

The FA released their written reasons behind Drysdale's suspension in which the referee recalled his version of events, something that Judge has now strongly disputed.

“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,” Judge told Ipswich's club website.

“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.

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