Linesman stood down for elbowing Liverpool star Andy Robertson as investigation goes on | Football | Sport
The PGMOL has announced that Constantine Hatzidakis has been stood down from Premier League duty while an investigation into the official’s conduct during Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal takes place. The Football Association is probing an incident in which the assistant referee appeared to prod his elbow into the throat of Reds left-back Andy Robertson.
The FA announced on Sunday that it would investigate the incident once the game, which ended 2-2, had finished. The PGMOL, which is the body in charge of referees, has said it will not appoint Hatzidakis to a game in any competition until the FA concludes its investigation.
A statement 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.”
Robertson had furiously confronted Hatzidakis at half-time and appeared to touch the assistant referee to gain his attention. However, as Hatzidakis walked away he appeared to raise his elbow towards the Scotland international. The elbow appeared to strike Robertson in the throat.
Liverpool were incredulous over the incident and several of their players, including captain Jordan Henderson, confronted referee Paul Tierney to complain. However, They were told to return to the dressing rooms.
Broadcast footage caught the incident and it was replayed towards the end of Sky Sports’ half-time coverage. Robertson had apparently been ‘apoplectic’ as he returned inside.
Pitchside reporter Geoff Shreeves told presenter Dave Jones: “Andy Robertson was absolutely apoplectic, stunned even. He said, ‘The linesman has just elbowed me in the throat’.
“Jordan Henderson was well aware of it and led the remonstrations with referee Paul Tierney and after that they got taken away. Extraordinary scenes.”
Hatzidakis, 38, is an experienced official who has worked in the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League for several years. The game at Anfield was his 14th top-flight appointment of the 2022-23 campaign.
Referee Tierney had the power to relieve Hatzidakis from his duty after the alleged incident. Law 6 states that “a referee can relieve another match official of their duties for ‘undue interference or improper conduct’.”
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