Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis says he is prepared for any action the FA may take over his incident with Liverpool ‘s Andrew Robertson.
At Anfield during Sunday’s match against Arsenal, the 38-year-old man and the Reds’ defender got into a heated argument. As the players made their way to the tunnel for the halftime break, he was charged with elbowing the Scotsman. Sky Sports cameras filmed the altercation.
Speaking outside of his home to Mail Online in response to the incident, he said: “Whatever happens, happens. There is nothing more I can say at the moment. I can’t talk about what happened.”
The PGMOL have already confirmed that Hatzidakis will not be appointed to any further matches this season until an FA investigation comes to a close. A statement on Monday said: “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.”
Hatzidakis was at the heart of the contentious incident during the half-time break of the Reds’ 2-2 draw with table-topping Arsenal. The official was approached by the left-back – who appeared to be furious with a series of his decisions at Anfield.
Robertson then accused the official of striking him in the throat with an alleged elbow. The Liverpool man was subsequently yellow carded by referee Paul Tierney for his role in the incident and was left stᴜnned by the events that had taken place.
Robertson was furious with the incident
It is the second incident involving officials and players over recent weeks after Aleksandar Mitrovic was banned for eight games after shoving referee Chris Kavanagh during Fulham’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has suggested that Hatzidakis could face similar punishment. “Players can push us officials to the limit,” he wrote in the Daily Mail.
“They can provokе 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.”
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.”
‘This season has been a disappointment for Liverpool’
Liverpool had just experienced a drɑmatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal and after this clɑsh, coach Jurgen Klopp had statements to say: “I can say we have taken another step on the path that we have taken. should go at the end of the season For the first time in a long time, we showed a good reaction after going down.
Liverpool did not fall like the usual scenarios this season. We conceded one goal, two goals and could have conceded a third but that didn’t happen.”
Liverpool are experiencing an ᴜnexpected season with Klopp.
In response to Klopp’s statement, former player Chris Sutton had criticism on BBC Sport quoted by Football Fancast: “Klopp said the only positive thing he saw was that Liverpool did not fall. I am a Liverpool fan, I would feel there is a problem in Klopp’s mind.
“Will Liverpool fans still believe in him? Will Klopp still be trusted to take charge of the team next season? This season has been a disappointment for Liverpool and will Klopp still be able to bring the team back to the club? The club continues on the path to challenge the title?”.
