Brighton's Ashley Barnes has been charged by the Football Association for the on-field incident involving referee Nigel Miller on March 9.
Barnes appeared to make contact with Miller in the closing seconds of his side's 1-0 defeat Bolton, an offence for which he was shown a red card. His punishment was a four-game ban, one more than the standard three due to it being the player's second dismissal of the season.
But, having considered the evidence, the FA have opened proceedings which could lead to an enhanced punishment.
A statement released on Wednesday read: "The FA has charged Brighton and Hove Albion's Ashley Barnes following his side's game against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 9 March 2013.
"It is alleged that Barnes' behaviour in relation to the match official, for which the player was dismissed for violent conduct towards the end of the game, constituted an offence whereby the standard punishment that would otherwise apply was clearly insufficient."
Barnes has been given until 6pm on Thursday to respond.
Speaking immediately after the match - and before reviewing video evidence - Brighton manager Gus Poyet said: "I would like to see it.
"Before I talk to him I'm going to have a look because if he's done something to the referee...let's wait and see.
"My way of managing this is I prefer the player to calm down because if you go to the dressing room and you ask them straight away then they will put their excuse in there and blame somebody else."
Source: PA
