The match officials in charge of the farcical FA Cup tie between Tranmere and Sunderland have been ordered to appear before a Football Association commission.

It is the first time in its history that the FA has taken such action against officials.

Referee Rob Harris, fourth official David Unsworth and assistant referee Tony Green have all been accused of breaching referees' regulations.

The move follows the closing stages of last Saturday's match at Prenton Park, when Tranmere replaced a sent-off player with a substitute.

The officials failed to notice that Rovers had 11 players on the field, even though Clint Hill had been red carded.

After an FA investigation into the matter, Tranmere's 1-0 victory over their Premiership opponents was allowed to stand.

FA probe

According to an FA statement, it is alleged that Harris had breached rules on referees' conduct.

He had "less than proficiently applied the laws of the game" by allowing Tranmere to replace Hill.

Unsworth and Green are alleged to have committed technical irregularities in connection with the substitution.

The three officials have 14 days to respond to the allegations and request a personal hearing before a commission of the FA referees' committee.

Harris had been due to officiate the FA Cup fourth round tie between Gillingham and Bradford on Tuesday, but was replaced by Dermot Gallagher following the Prenton Park debacle.