Brady calls for more 'respect' towards referees after Drysdale incident

Cobblers caretaker boss Jon Brady has called on players to start showing more 'respect' towards referees after an incident involving official Darren Drysdale during his side's game with Ipswich Town.

Drysdale has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after he locked heads with Ipswich midfielder Alan Judge in the closing stages of Tuesday's goalless draw at Portman Road.

The clip of the incident went viral on social media and sparked an outpouring of sympathy towards Drysdale and other referees who often have to put up with abuse from players on the field.

Weighing in on the debate, Brady praised his players for keeping the peace between Drysdale and Judge, particularly defender Lloyd Jones who was seen ushering the referee away from the incident.

"I thought our players showed tremendous discipline," said Brady. "Lloyd took control of the situation and looked after the referee.

"I think, with everything that's gone on, rugby doesn't have it like football with players going up to the referee and waving their fingers.

"First and foremost, I believe there needs to be a lot more respect shown towards the referee from players and that's what I would say on the matter right now."

Drysdale, who has been removed from refereeing duties this weekend, issued an apology on Wednesday afternoon and admitted he failed to keep his 'composure', however Judge did not feel that was necessary.

Speaking to Ipswich's club website, Judge said: “Referees have a tough job to do and it was heat of the moment stuff that happens in football.

“The photo makes it look worse than it was and to be honest, the matter was finished with from my end as soon as I walked off the pitch.

“I wasn’t looking for the referee to apologise; I wasn’t looking for him to be charged. There was never going to be a complaint from me and I made that clear.

“Like I said, for me - it was finished with straight away.”