Ref faces ban for swearing at Wise

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in the professional game, Danny McDermid is likely to join Wise in serving a ban.

The Leeds manager was handed a three-match touchline suspension on Monday and fined £5,000 following his row with the official in a stormy League One game at Gillingham on September 29.

Now McDermid, who sent Wise to the stands at half time and reported him for an abusive outburst, has been confronted with exactly the same charge that was made against the Elland Road boss: 'Using abusive and/or insulting words.'

The FA took the tit-for-tat measure after Wise alleged the Hampshire official swore at him. If the case is proven then McDermid's career could be affected.

Wise, renowned for a fiery temper, is deemed by some to have been uncharacteristically precious in this case but one of his closest friends, veteran soccer boss Dave Bassett, said: 'Dennis would have no problem with anyone swearing at him. He wouldn't mind a referee doing it, either.

'But the ref in this case has been silly in doing Dennis for swearing rather than something else. You can call Dennis what you like — he isn't going to take offence. It's part of the language used in football.

'There's a leaflet about him doing the rounds in Leeds which says "from w***er to winner" and he thinks it's funny.'

Bassett suggests Wise saw the funny side of his altercation with McDermid but felt he could not stand accused alone if the ref was guilty of the same offence.

There have been similar cases in the amateur game but there is no precedent for a League referee being charged for swearing.

Kevin Lynch, a former League referee, said: 'There's no need for anyone to tell officials not to swear at players and managers because it's a matter of common sense. If you do that then you lose all credibility.'

The FA confirmed that possible sanctions could range from a fine to a suspension or both. McDermid has 14 days to respond.