Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was seen arguing with the official, Constantine Hatzidakis, at halftime in Sunday’s game against Arsenal and camera replays looked to show the Ref catching the Scotsman with his elbow.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) body, announced on Monday, the assistant referee accused of elbowing Liverpool’s Andy Robertson at halftime during their Premier League draw with Arsenal will not be hired for future matches until an investigation is completed.
“PGMOL will not be appointing Constantine Hatzidakis to fixtures in any of the competition it serves whilst the FA investigates the incident involving the assistant referee and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at Anfield,” it said in a statement.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp stated after the 2-2 draw that he did not witness the incident but had heard “something happened” Klopp said.
“I know it happened but I didn’t watch it. If it happened the pictures will speak for themselves.”
The Robertson Referee incident
At the half-time whistle, Constantine Hatzidakis was approached by Robertson, who claimed the assistant referee had elbowed him in the throat seconds earlier.
Referee Paul Tierney issued a yellow card to Robertson for his role in the altercation, while Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson approached the officials to discuss the matter.
When you use your elbow as a weapon, you clench your hand and strike down to make an effect, but Hatzidakis has pushed his elbow up towards Robertson in the same way you would squat a fly.
With that stated, there is a rule in football that players are not permitted to touch a match official, and match officials are not allowed to touch players, and footage appears to show Hatzidakis making contact with Robertson during the altercation.
According to Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, if Hatzidakis is found guilty of striking the Liverpool defender, the official would face serious consequences.
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