Alan Judge: ‘There was no need for an apology’

Referee

Darren Drysdale

, who was charged by the FA with improper conduct after his on-field confrontation with

’s

Alan Judge

, has not officiated a match since the incident which was on February 18.

Drysdale apologized for his behavior:

“I fully understand that it is important for us as referees to maintain our composure throughout the game and always engage with players in a professional manner.”

And Judge responded by saying:

"There was no need for an apology. I wasn't looking for one or looking for any action to be taken.

"In football as everybody knows stuff happens in the heat of the moment in a game. We all make mistakes and for me, that is the end of this."

They exchanged words in the 90th minute of the game against

after Drysdale turned down Judge’s appeal for a penalty.

Ipswich pair Flynn Downes and Jack Lankester and Northampton defender Lloyd Jones stepped in and tried to calm the situation before Drysdale booked Judge.

Paul Lambert

, who was Ipswich's boss back then, urged the FA to take the right action and confirmed that he had spoken to head of EFL referees Mike Jones regarding the incident.

"I think the apology is very soft - it's easy to say sorry after the event," Lambert told

. "What happened was incredible, I've never seen that, for a referee to go head-to-head with a player.

"He had to get pulled away by the Northampton players and at that time he's out of control. What would have happened to Alan Judge if he'd done that to the referee? He'd have been looking at a six-month ban, a one-year ban, and a massive fine."

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