English Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher will be relegated to the Nationwide League as punishment for not sending off Robbie Keane on Saturday, the English FA has confirmed.
The Leeds United striker reacted to David Beckham's stern tackle by flooring the Manchester United midfielder with a two-handed push during the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Oxfordshire official Gallagher only booked Keane and will now be hauled in to face FA referees' manager Philip Don - and will then be told the length of his suspension from the top flight.
An FA spokesman criticised the referee for not brandishing the red card when Republic of Ireland international Keane pushed England captain Beckham to the ground just yards in front of him.
Gallagher now faces a grilling from Don in the next 48 hours before the Select Group Referees - a committee of officials - decide how long his exile from the Premiership will last.
Andy Kilner has left first Division Stockport County by mutual consent, becoming the 20th managerial casualty of the season after steering his side to just one win from their opening 15 league games. It has left them rooted to the bottom, four points adrift of Walsall.
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