Constantine Hatzidakis will not officiate any fixtures until the FA and PGMOL can complete an investigation involving him and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
The linesman was part of the officials who were in charge of the Liverpool vs Arsenal fixture at Anfield Stadium yesterday and he appeared to elbow Liverpool’s left-back Andy Robertson during the halftime break.
Robertson seemingly reacted angrily toward him at the end of the first half prompting him to react with what seems like an intentional elbow to the defender’s throat. Robertson was then booked by the referee of the day Paul Tierny for his actions of rushing towards a match day official. The PGMOL confirmed that they had received the complaint and would give more details after the match.
Assistant Referee appeared to elbow Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
‘PGMOl is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at halftime during the LIverpoolv Arsenal fixture at Anfield, we will review the matter in full once the matter is concluded,’ the statement read.
The actions attracted a string of opinions and views from different people including former premier league referees Mark Clatterburg and Mark Halsey.
“Players can push us officials to the limit, they can provoke to the point where you are probably tempted to give them something in return but under no circumstances can we respond . Certainly not Physically,” wrote CZlattenburg in the Daily Mail.
The incident comes just a few weeks after Fulham forward Mitrovic was slapped with an eight games ban for shoving a referee during the cup quarter-finals against Manchester United. Harsher penalties could await the assistant referee for his actions.
However, not everyone is against the referee’s action, such as Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane who said that Robertson acted as a big baby. ” Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I’ve watched him a number of times. He is a big baby. That’s what he is . Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first.”Commented Keane while on punditry duties.
