THE referee at the centre of controversy during Gillingham’s match against Leeds last month has been charged by the FA.

Danny McDermid has been charged with using abusive/and or insulting words towards Leeds manager Dennis Wise. He has until 13 November to respond.

Leeds manager Dennis Wise was handed a three-match touchline ban and a £5,000 fine for using abusive language towards McDermid at half-time.

A two game ban was for the incident at Priestfield, while an extra match suspension was invoked, because of a previous incident.

The referee sent Wise to the stands and in the same game he also dismissed Leeds pair Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford.

Wise, however, also accused Mr McDermid of swearing at him when the Leeds manager confronted the referee at the end of the game.