Assistant referee quits as FA investigate Robertson’s ‘elbow’

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis will not act in any matches as he is under investigation for an apparent elbowing of Scotland captain Andy Robertson during Liverpool’s game against Arsenal.

The incident happened just after half-time in Sunday’s 2-2 draw when Hatzidakis reacted after being confronted by the Anfield left-back.

A statement from the Premier League’s refereeing body, PGMOL, said: “PGMOL will not appoint Constantine Hatzidakis to play in any of the competitions for which he has jurisdiction pending an investigation by the FA (Football Association) into The ASS incident and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson investigated at Anfield.

Sky Sports cameras zooming in on the confrontation showed Hatzidakis appearing to raise his arm and make contact with Robertson, who was motioning that he had been punched by the officer.

An enraged Robertson was taken away by his teammates, but despite receiving a yellow card in the episode, it was Hatzidakis’ action that remains under scrutiny.

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told BBC Radio Five Live: “At the end of the day, if he is found guilty of this, his career will be in jeopardy. “I was trying to come up with an excuse as to why he did it and found out if he was scared? He shouldn’t be, because he’s in a protected environment with a lot of security.

“But he reacted in a way he shouldn’t have reacted at the end of the day and we’re talking about an onion manager and not a decision but an action from a manager onion – and he clearly lost his temper.”

Another former top referee, Mark Halsey, has shed light on Robertson’s behavior and believes suspension is the most likely punishment for Hatzidakis if he is found to have committed an infraction.

Writing in The Sun, Halsey drew a parallel with Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was recently banned for eight games for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh.

Halsey said: “To me, it looks like Robertson caught Hatzidakis who took his arm off and grabbed it accidentally. “I can’t think of why an assistant referee would throw their arms in a player’s face. Sure, from a camera angle it doesn’t look good. But you have to ask yourself why Robertson approached the assistant referee?

“I’ve heard people say this is the end of the linesman’s career, but like Aleksandar Mitrovic, it’s his full-time job. However, if he is found guilty and deliberately uses his elbow, he will face the same consequences as the Fulham frontman. “Match officials are the guardians of standards and must be held accountable if found guilty of this type of behavior towards a player.”

PGMOL was quick to issue a statement on Sunday, saying: “PGMOL is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time during Liverpool’s game against Arsenal at Anfield. .

“We will fully consider the matter after the match is over.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he did not see what happened but Sky Sports pundits working on the game reacted in disbelief.

Former Manchester and England full-back Gary Neville said: “I’ve never seen a referee lift a player’s elbow. I think he’s going to be in big trouble after this game is over.”

Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards added: “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has focused on Robertson’s role in the incident, calling the Scot ‘a big baby’.

“He should be more concerned about his defense,” Keane said. “Do you know what he is, this Robertson?” I’ve watched him a few times, he’s a big baby, that’s what he is.

“Go ahead and focus on your defence. He catches the linesman first.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, whose side are fighting Arsenal for the title, did not see the incident but said it would be “strange” if it happened as some have described to him.

He said in his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-finals with Bayern Munich: “I heard it but I didn’t see it. I watched Bayern Munich and Golf.

“I saw the highlights afterwards but I didn’t see that. They told me something happened but I didn’t see the photo so I can’t comment. But that it’s weird when what people tell me happens.”

England international Ella Toone also did not see the incident but called for “respect” between players and officials.

She said: “Of course it’s important that the players respect the officials and that the officials respect the players, so hopefully whatever happened will be sorted out.”