Ref mix-up delays Hasselbaink's case

The Football Association were today attempting to reorganise Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s misconduct case as it transpired that the original hearing was postponed because the referee had not been invited.

The administrative error came just a day after a series of new measures had been unveiled by the governing body in a bid to speed up the entire disciplinary process.

However, when Hasselbaink arrived for yesterday’s hearing into an alleged elbow incident during Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Scarborough, he found that referee Barry Knight had not been summoned to attend.

Instead, the Orpington official, who remains blameless in the whole affair, was preparing for last night’s Barclaycard Premiership game at Anfield between Liverpool and Portsmouth.

And so, even though Scarborough defender Mark Hotte, who had allegedly been elbowed by Hasselbaink back in January, was there to speak on the Dutchman’s behalf, the hearing was adjourned.

The FA later issued a statement in which they explained that this had been due to the “non-appearance of a key witness”.

They added that the new hearing would be at “the earliest opportunity” and efforts were today being made to ensure there is as little delay as possible before a new date is set.

Hasselbaink, who has been charged with violent behaviour following the match on January 24, could still be hit with a three-match ban if found guilty of the charge.