Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct aggravated by insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour for his conduct towards referee Kevin Friend in the tunnel following Preston's 4-3 loss.

Under The FA's new fast-track procedures, Ferguson has until Friday September 17 to respond to the charge.

The FA may take into account his previous misconduct charge from last season when deciding on Ferguson's punishment.

He was given a two-match touchline ban, suspended until the end of the 2009-10 season, for improper conduct towards the referee when in charge of Peterborough in a match against West Brom in August 2009.

A regulatory commission will hear the case within 10 days of his reply while Ferguson has until Thursday September 16 to explain the comments attributed to him in the media after Saturday`s game.