A senior Football League referee has been arrested on suspicion of computer hacking and the dissemination of private information, according to the Guardian.

Dean Mohareb, 29, the FA's national referee development manager, is suspected of hacking personal and work email accounts belonging to Janie Frampton, who is the FA's former national referee manager.

Frampton was recently suspended and eventually dismissed over allegations she had offered FA Cup semi-final tickets to a British Airways flight steward in return for upgrades, which Frampton strongly denies.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "On Sunday 30 September 2012 police seized a number of electrical items as part of an investigation into computer hacking and the dissemination of private information.

"A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material/data, under section 1 of the Misuse of Computers Act 1990. The man has since been bailed until 26 November 2012."

Mohareb, who worked under the online alias 'pink ref' is responsible for the handling of sensitive data, including child protection issues at the FA.

The 29-year-old was due to take charge of the Championship match between Barnsley and Peterborough on Tuesday night but was suspended from overseeing the Oakwell tie.