Darren Drysdale tells hearing of the abuse which prompted Alan Judge clash

Drysdale has been being given a backdated ban for improper conduct

Referee Darren Drysdale is free to officiate again having received a backdated ban for improper conduct for his clash with Ipswich Town's Alan Judge last month.

Drysdale came face to face with Judge during the closing minutes of Ipswich's game with Northampton after declining a penalty appeal from the Irish international. Instead, he deemed Judge had dived and booked him for simulation.

Drysdale later apologised and admitted a breach of FA rules for his confrontation with Judge.

Speaking at a hearing, the referee said that his response had been out of character, but followed the worst abuse he had ever received during his time as an official.

Explaining what happened, he said: "Alan Judge exaggerates his fall in a desperate attempt to gain a penalty. 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**king penalty you cheating bald c*nt!"

"Reacting completely out of character, I took exception to what I considered to be an offensive comment.

"I walked towards Alan Judge who then continued his tirade of abuse as he then, what I deemed as aggressively and provokingly, pointed his finger towards my face and shouted, "You're a f**king cheating c*nt!"

"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."

Drysdale was removed from officiating at two EFL matches in the aftermath of the incident with Judge. He has since missed officiating at a further three fixtures.