Match official alleges PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom ‘ranted aggressively’ at him prior to Watford clash

The Lilywhites head coach was handed a three-game touchline ban earlier this month by the FA after being found guilty of misconduct.

The incident related to North End’s Championship clash against Watford at Vicarage Road on November 25.

It was alleged that he "acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official" in the pre-match briefing ahead of the match against the Hornets.

The match was officiated by James Bell and the FA have released details of the referee’s report relating to Heckingbottom being charged and subsequently admitting to by way of reply.

In the usual pre-match briefing held in the referee’s dressing room which involves the match officials as well as both teams’ managers and captains, along with other club officials, Mr Bell revealed that the PNE boss refused to shake his hand and then insulted the match official verbally.

The matter is reported to relate to an incident last season when Bell was acting as fourth official for PNE’s trip to Watford and led to Heckingbottom receiving a one-game touchline ban.

In the FA report, it was claimed that Heckingbottom remained aggrieved at the outcome of that case and had issues with Mr Bell’s evidence.

In the evidence provided by Mr Bell relating to the charge on November 25, the report said: “I made my way over to the group and shook the hands of Javi (Gracia, Watford manager) and Imran (Louza, Watford captain) before attempting to shake the hand of Paul (Heckingbottom).

“Paul refused and stood with his arms folded telling me to ‘get on with it’. I found this highly irregular as I have never experienced a reaction like this when offering to shake the hand of a manager pre-match in 20 years of officiating.

“It felt like he was trying to be disrespectful and undermine my authority in a public way before a ball had even been kicked.

“I again offered to shake Paul’s hand ‘asking if he really wasn’t going to shake my hand before the game’ (as I was so surprised by his reaction).

“Paul then went into an aggressive rant, raising his voice, questioning my integrity and insulting me. He said ‘No I don't want to shake your hand cos you’re a liar, you shouldn’t be on the f*****g game and you shouldn’t be at this f*****g level! You’re a disgrace!'

“At this point, Peter Ridsdale who was stood only a few yards behind us moved across and took hold of the left forearm of Paul saying, ‘That’s enough, leave it.’”

Heckingbottom has been in the stands for the Oxford and Norwich games and will serve the final game of his suspension at today’s Boxing Day clash at Stoke.