For the first time, the linesman who allegedly elbowed Liverpool defender Andy Robertson during Sunday’s draw with Arsenal has come forward
The FA is looking into the incident where assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis appeared to make contact with Robertson as the players were leaving the field for halftime.
After the incident, Robertson and a few of his Liverpool teammates reacted angrily and told match official Paul Tierney that they had been struck in the neck region.
In the entertaining 2-2 draw that followed, Hatzidakis continued to run the line after Robertson received a yellow card for his part in the altercation.
Hatzidakis, 38, has been removed from duty while the FA conducts an investigation, and a former referee has predicted that he could face a protracted suspension.
Hatzidakis said from his home in south London, where he was speaking about the incident for the first time, “Whatever happens, happens.” I’m at a loss for words at the moment. I’m not allowed to discuss what happened.
The FA will ask Robertson and other players who saw the incident to provide statements as part of their investigation.
The linesman could be suspended for eight games, according to former Premier League referee Mark Halsey, who acknowledged that he had never witnessed anything like the events at Anfield.
Aleksander Mitrovic, a striker for Fulham, was recently given an eight-game suspension for touching a referee, and Halsey thinks Hatzidakis might also receive the same punishment.
He stated on talkSPORT that “Officials are the guardians of standards on the field of play” and that “I think he will be regretting his actions” in the future. Having said that, I believe the PGMOL will conduct its inquiries.
‘For me, Robertson approaches him and appears to be about to touch him before the assistant flicks his arm up. He should not have done so. He should have gone to the referee and reported it, then let him handle it.
‘However, if he is found guilty of an act of violent conduct, he should accept his punishment in the same way that Mitrovic has.
‘They’re both professionals; Robertson is a professional player, and the assistant referee is a professional assistant referee. We can only guess what happened and must wait for the investigation to conclude.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it, so there’s a first time for everything, but if he’s guilty, he has to suffer the consequences.’
‘You’ve got to look at Mitrovic, haven’t you?’ Halsey said of the length of punishment.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it, so there’s a first time for everything, but if he’s guilty, he has to suffer the consequences.’
‘You’ve got to look at Mitrovic, haven’t you?’ Halsey said of the length of punishment.
‘He was suspended for eight games for using technical assault, and they could argue that the assistant technically assaulted a player. Aren’t you looking at two similar incidents?
‘Obviously, if found guilty, he must face the consequences of an eight-game suspension because they’ve established a precedent.’
Others, however, defended the assistant referee, claiming Robertson should not have approached him in such an intimidating manner.
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Roy Keane felt Robertson overreacted to the contact and dubbed the Liverpool star a “big baby.”
‘He should be more concerned with his defending,’ the former Manchester United captain told Sky Sports.
‘Do you know what he is? That Robertson, I’ve watched him a number of times. He’s a big baby. That’s what that guy is.
‘Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first.’
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Roy Keane felt Robertson overreacted to the contact and dubbed the Liverpool star a “big baby.”
‘He should be more concerned with his defending,’ the former Manchester United captain told Sky Sports.
‘Do you know what he is? That Robertson, I’ve watched him a number of times. He’s a big baby. That’s what that guy is.
‘Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first.’
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