D'Urso charged by FA

The Football Association have charged referee Andy D'Urso.

The Football Association have charged referee Andy D'Urso with "less than proficiently applying the laws of the game".

The Essex official flashed a second yellow card to Blackburn Rovers' Barry Ferguson in the aftermath of his decision to award a controversial injury time penalty to Southampton on Saturday.

Ferguson, earlier booked for a clumsy challenge in midfield, kicked the ball away in frustration after Craig Short was adjudged to have fouled former Rover James Beattie.

D'Urso, however, failed to dismiss Ferguson and, despite the intervention of the fourth official once the spot-kick had been converted by Beattie, the Scot remained on the field as the visitors battled in vain for an equaliser.

Former referee Clive Thomas told Sky Sports News on Monday that D'Urso should be suspended for his mistake and there have been calls for some punishment to be meted out to the official.

"What The FA should be doing, without a doubt, is calling the four officials in to see what happened," said Thomas.

"They should be suspended immediately for two or three matches. You cannot have that in a top-class league.

"It's a disgrace."

D'Urso has 14 days to respond but has, apparently, already admitted his error.