WAKEFIELD referee Alan Kaye has been sensationally charged by the Football Association over his handling of York City's friendly with Leeds United.

Kaye was widely praised for his refereeing at Bootham Crescent, which saw him signal to the Leeds United bench to substitute Mark Viduka, following the Aussies striker's altercation with City centre-half Andrew Jordan.

Leeds boss Peter Reid said after the match: "The main thing was that the referee was sensible because we could have been in trouble."

However, it appears Kaye's gesture was not viewed in the same light by his FA bosses, who have made their feelings felt by slapping a charge on the Wakefield whistle-blower.

The FA stance appears to be that Viduka - and any player who commits a red-card offence in pre-season - should have been sent-off, despite the fact it would have led to a three-match ban at the start of the season.

A spokesman from the FA said: "Mr Kaye has been charged by the FA for less than proficiently applying the laws of the game.

"Special instructions were issued to officials about certain incidents and obviously the refereeing department of the FA feel these have not been followed."

No date has yet been decided for when Kaye's case will be heard at Soho Square.

Updated: 11:04 Tuesday, July 29, 2003