Refereeing body PGMOL have confirmed linesman Constantine Hatzidakis will not officiate any fixtures during an investigation into the incident involving Liverpool defender Andy Robertson on Sunday.
Hatzidakis appeared to elbow Robertson at the end of the first half in Liverpool's 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal on Sunday after the Scotsman reacted angrily towards him. The PGMOL and the FA have both launched investigations into the huge flashpoint during the thrilling encounter at Anfield.
A statement on Monday read: “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.”
Assistant referee Hatzidakis was approached by a furious Robertson at the half-time interval and the Liverpool full-back accused the official of striking him in the throat with an alleged elbow. Robertson was subsequently yellow carded by referee Paul Tierney for his role in the incident and was left stunned by the events that had taken place.
The PGMOL confirmed during the clash that they would be reviewing the incident after the match had ended, before the decision was made for Hatzidakis to be stood down.
“PGMOL is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time during the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture at Anfield,” their initial statement read. “We will review the matter in full once the game has concluded.”
Hatzidakis is understood to have reacted only after he felt that Robertson put his arm on him. Furthermore, it is believed that the linesman believed he was being verbally abused in the melee as the players and officials left the pitch. The whole incident has left the linesman at the centre of a storm as he waits to discover his fate and that is devastating for any official.
The controversial moment has divided opinion among former officials and pundits, with ex-Premier League referees Mark Clattenburg and Mark Halsey both questioning the reactions of Hatzidakis, who could now face a lengthy ban.
"Players can push us officials to the limit," Clattenburg wrote in the Daily Mail. "They can provoke to the point where you are probably tempted to give them something in return. But under no circumstances can we can respond. Certainly not physically.
"Hatzidakis did and there will now be a clamour for him to be banned, given Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to miss eight matches for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh last month."
Halsey shared Clattenburg's view that Hatzidakis could be hit with similar sanctions to Fulham striker Mitrovic for making contact with Robertson.
"You have to ask why has Robertson gone to approach the assistant referee?" Halsey wrote in The Sun. "I have heard people say this is the end of the linesman’s career, but, just like Aleksandar Mitrovic, it is his full-time job. However, if he is proven guilty and did intentionally use his elbow then he will face the same consequences as the Fulham frontman."
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane gave a scathing verdict of Robertson's involvement. "Robertson, do you know what, does he grab the linesman first? I'm not sure, but he's complaining," Keane said. "He should be more worried about his defending.
"Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I've watched him a number of times. He's a big baby. That's what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first."
