FA are investigating a clash between assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and the Liverpool fullback.
The assistant referee who apparently elbowed Liverpool’s Andy Robertson at half-time during their Premier League draw with Arsenal will not be appointed for future matches until an investigation is completed, the refereeing body says.
Robertson protested to the official, Constantine Hatzidakis, at half-time of Sunday’s game, and video replays appeared to show the official brushing off the Scotland international and catching him with his elbow.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body of match officials, said in a statement on Monday that it “will not be appointing Constantine Hatzidakis to matches in any of the leagues it serves while the FA investigates the incident involving the assistant referee and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at Anfield”.
Robertson was booked for dissent by referee Paul Tierney as the players walked off the Anfield pitch and through the tunnel at half-time.
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp had said after the 2-2 draw that he had not seen the full-back incident, although he had been told “something had happened”.
“I heard the pictures speak for themselves. I can’t say more. I didn’t see any of it,” said Klopp.
A linesman elbows Robertson in the chin and it is he who subsequently receives a yellow card. OK. pic.twitter.com/vcKXwnVvyr
— Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) April 9, 2023
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said the PGMOL would speak to the relevant parties to understand what happened.
“I think the PGMOL and (Chief Referee) Howard Webb will no doubt speak to Hatzidakis to gauge his opinion and thoughts and how he feels,” Gallagher told Sky Sports.
“The FA have already said they will talk to him and Andy Robertson,” Gallagher said. “…It’s just a matter of following the process.”
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was handed an eight-match ban and a £75,000 ($93,128) fine for confronting and shoving referee Chris Kavanagh during their FA Cup loss at Manchester United last month.
Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio that he was calling for a ban on Hatzidakis, while Keith Hackett, another former Premier League referee, said Hatzidakis’ career is “at risk”.
“Aleksandar Mitrovic’s suspension was not long enough, so this must be the equivalent if he is found guilty,” Hackett said.
