Andy Robertson’s reaction to being elbowed by assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis was “bordering on pathetic” and the Liverpool defender was guilty of “bullying” according to BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks.
Robertson was caught by Hatzidakis’s arm during a confrontation at half-time of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. The assistant referee was initially suspended from officiating duties while the FA investigated the incident before being cleared of any wrongdoing.
The incident sparked a wider debate about abuse of officials, with Robertson coming in for plenty of criticism for approaching Hatzidakis in the first place. Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane branded the Scotland international a “big baby” for reacting in the way he did – and Crooks has now weighed in on the debate.
“The incredulity on Robertson's face having received the reflex reaction from the referee's assistant,” he wrote for BBC Sport. “The defender had after all come at such a pace to confront the official, it was perfectly natural for the startled Hatzidakis to raise his elbow as a defensive mechanism.
“The way Robertson then turned to his team-mates in astonishment to complain that he had just been 'deliberately' elbowed was bordering on pathetic. The international defender should have known better.
“Had he tried that stunt in his native Scotland, in a match of no significance with an ordinary member of the public running the line, he would almost certainly have been levelled. Robertson knew exactly what he was doing and who he was doing it to. This was bullying of the worst kind and it has to stop.”
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Robertson approached Hatzidakis at half-time of the match against Arsenal to confront him. The linesman was walking away towards his colleagues in the centre circle and lifted his arm in reaction, striking Robertson on the chin.
Hatzidakis explained: “I fully assisted The FA with their investigation and have discussed the matter directly with Andy Robertson during an open and positive conversation. It was certainly not my intention to make any contact with Andy as I pulled my arm away from him and for that I have apologised. I look forward to returning to officiating matches.”
The FA statement read: “We have thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence in relation to the recent incident at Anfield involving the Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and match official Constantine Hatzidakis, and we will be taking no further action.
“Our comprehensive process involved reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and the PGMOL, as well as multiple angles of video footage, in relation to both the incident and its surrounding circumstances.”
Robertson will be back in action when Liverpool travel to Elland Road to play Leeds in the Premier League on Monday night. Hatzidakis was not appointed to a match over the weekend, but can expect to be back officiating in the coming weeks after being cleared.
