COUNTY TO REPORT REFEREE

NOTTS COUNTY have taken the unprecedented step of reporting referee Paul Taylor to the Football Association over allegations that he verbally abused Magpies striker Sean Farrell during the encounter with Wigan Athletic in October.

Taylor now faces the prospect of becoming the first referee to be hauled in front of the FA on a charge of misconduct, and may be forced to resign his Football Referees grading.

County club secretary Tony Cuthbert said of the matter: "This is something we regard as being very serious, we would not have acted otherwise.

"We don't want to make too much of it, we would rather keep it low key, but we felt we had to do something. We don't want it to happen again in the future to another player.

"The authorities are always very quick to stamp down on a player when they are out of line, so why should the same not apply to a referee?"

County's Andy Hughes (pictured) and Mark Stallard were each forced out of action for a month after being dismissed by Taylor during the 2-2 draw at Meadow Lane.