Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has been issued with a notice of complaint by the SFA after his criticism of referee Andrew Dallas last month.
The Inverness manager accused Dallas of not being ready to referee matches in the top flight of Scottish football after the official’s handling of the club’s 1-1 Premiership draw against Dundee.
Inverness player Andrea Mutombo was sent off during the match at Dens Park on August 29.
After the game, the Caley Jags manager said: “I don’t think the referee is ready for the top flight. He might be one day but not on this evidence. I thought he brought a nervousness to the game which didn’t help. There were a lot of fouls and it was stop-start.”
Hughes’ comments have been noted by the SFA, with compliance officer Tony McGlennan deeming Hughes’ remarks to have breached disciplinary rule 72 by indicating incompetence on the official’s part.
It is not the first time Hughes has been critical of Dallas, having labelled the referee as being “out of his depth” after he showed nine yellows and sent off David Raven in a 1-1 draw at St Johnstone in May.
Hughes said: “He’s just a young kid, learning his trade. I understand he has to get experience. But we need to look at that because I’ve never seen so many bookings.”
Caley Jags have until Tuesday to respond with a hearing scheduled for Thursday, October 1, at Hampden.
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has also been issued with a notice of complaint after his criticism of referee Willie Collum after the Jambos were beaten 3-2 by Hamilton Accies on August 29.
Hearts have said they will contest the charge which will also be heard on October 1.