An investigation is underway after Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson was struck on the face by assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis in a outstanding incident simply after the half-time whistle of Sunday’s Premier League conflict with Arsenal.
The Scotland captain approached the linesman, who then thrust his elbow into Robertson’s chin.
Robertson was proven a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney as he furiously protested.
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Arsenal led 2-1 at half-time, however Liverpool rescued a 2-2 draw as Roberto Firmino’s 87th-minute header dented the leaders’ bid to win the title for the primary time since 2004.
Hatzidakis now faces an investigation into his conduct after referees’ governing physique PGMOL stated they might assessment the incident.
“PGMOL is conscious of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time throughout the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture at Anfield,” the assertion stated.
“We will assessment the matter in full as soon as the sport has concluded.” Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the officers had not reached out to him or Robertson to supply an apology.
“I didn’t see it,” stated Klopp of the incident. “Now clearly I’ve time to observe it however I didn’t, simply because I can not provide the solutions. I didn’t see it. I heard the photographs converse for themselves. I can not say anymore. I didn’t see a bit.”
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was this week given an eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh within the Cottagers’ FA Cup defeat towards Manchester United final month.
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, working at Anfield as a Sky Sports pundit, questioned Robertson for approaching the official, calling the defender “an enormous child” for his response.
But fellow Sky pundit Gary Neville believes it is going to be Hatzidakis who finds himself in bother this time.
“I’ve by no means seen an official elevate an elbow to a participant,” stated Neville. “I feel he’ll be in numerous bother after this sport ends.”
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Sky Sports’ pitchside reporter Geoff Shreeves stated Robertson was “shocked” by the incident. “He stated, ‘The linesman has simply elbowed me within the throat’ Jordan Henderson was nicely conscious of it and led the remonstrations with referee Paul Tierney and after that they obtained taken away. Extraordinary scenes.”
But fellow Sky Sports pundit and ex-Manchester United star Keane stated: “He ought to be extra nervous about his defending. I’ve watched Robertson a lot of instances and he’s an enormous child. Just get on with the sport and focus on your defending. He does seize the linesman first.”
