Sky Sports replay shows linesman elbowing Andy Robertson. is under investigation by the Football Association over the suspicion that he elbowed Liverpool's Andy Robertson during their Premier League draw against Arsenal.
It looks like the Scottish full-back was hit when left the field at half-time on Sunday after approaching Hatzidakis, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp saying the TV evidence «speaks for itself».
The incident was caught on camera by leading broadcaster Sky TV. From multiple angles, Hatzidakis can be seen waving towards Robertson as the pair discussed it after a bitter first half at Anfield when the referee punched a Liverpool player in the jaw.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the refereeing body, confirmed on Monday that Hatzidakis will not compete in any head-to-head matches as pundits warn his career is «in jeopardy» if the FA applies sanctions.
< p>Former FA Cup final referee Keith Hackett says PGMOL may be required to review his employment status if he faces suspension.
Robertson, the Scottish captain, looked shocked after the incident when he complained to referee Paul. Tierney, but immediately received a yellow card for disagreeing. His teammate Mohamed Salah had to pull him away to keep the situation from escalating. Hatzidakis continued his duties in the second half of the draw 2:2.
Associate referee with Andy Robertson's elbow?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CZQbDDDX0I
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 9, 2023
Football is divided over how the governing bodies should respond. «I don't think the linesman should be penalized at all,» former England full-back Stuart Pearce told TalkSport. “I think you would talk to him about his behavior, but I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do, to suspend him for eight games. I think it would be shameful.
“You have to keep in mind what happened 45 minutes before because Robertson is playing on the side of this linesman so he rushed him, probably due to certain incidents and decisions that he didn’t like… I think it’s a great opportunity start supporting officials in the game.”
However, with the FA applying tougher penalties and Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic was suspended eight games for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh, Hackett acknowledged that the authorities were faced with a difficult situation with Hatzidakis.
«Labor laws could also come into effect here,» he told Telegraph Sport. “Is he guilty of gross misconduct? If so, his career is in jeopardy.”
The incident is unprecedented in elite English football, but referee Fernando Hernandez was suspended for 12 matches in Mexico last week after suffering a knee injury. Lucas Romero Leona in the groin.
PGMOL and FA are conducting a separate investigation. PGMOL said in a statement on Monday: «PGMOL will not appoint Konstantin Hatzidakis to play in any of the competitions it serves while the FA investigates the incident involving Liverpool's assistant referee and defender Andrew Robertson at Anfield.»< /p>
The judge's full report is likely to be handed over to authorities on Monday, and Robertson and Hatzidakis are expected to be questioned this week.
“He had to keep his composure,” Hackett added. “Whatever the situation, you, as a match official, cannot react in this way. I was somewhat surprised because this is a very experienced official who has been in the game for a long time. I don't think they can let this drag on, so I'm hoping to get a decision within seven to ten days.»
Keen calls Robertson a «big kid»
Ref Support UK, a charity. which represents the referees, called for new rules that would prevent players from invading the space of the referees.
“It's just free for everyone,” said Martin Cassidy, chief executive of Ref Support UK. “We need a rule forbidding players to come closer than two meters to the referee. If you do this, you will receive a card. Match officials are the standards keepers and must be held accountable if they are found guilty of similar behavior towards a player or any participant in the game.”
Dr Tom Webb, who has extensively researched the problem of judicial abuse in England and across Europe, said he was not surprised by Sunday's flashpoint. “Relationships between players, coaches, fans and referees have deteriorated,” he said. “The behavior that we see towards the judges and their reaction or retribution is not a surprise. You can only push people this far. There is no justification for this behavior, but there is a reason for it.”
In his interviews with the rank and file referees, Dr. Webb found a consistent link between behavior in elite competitions such as the Premier League and the abuse suffered all the way down along the pyramid.
On Sky TV, former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane sympathized with the assistant referee. “Robertson takes the linesman first? I'm not sure, but Robertson then complains,” he said.
“He should be more concerned about his defense. Do you know who he is, this Robertson? I've watched him a few times, he's a big kid, that's who the guy is. Just keep playing and focus on defense. He grabs the linesman first.”
Klopp said at the post-match press conference that he did not see the incident. “I know it happened. I heard the pictures speak for themselves,” he said. “They [referees] do not come to us. If we want something, we'll have to go to them.»
The Liverpool manager suggested that he would like to say something more about the officials, but preferred to leave his advice.
< p>Flash point. eclipsed a brilliant performance, Liverpool bounced back from a two-goal deficit and swept the win away with a series of great late saves by Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: «We started exceptionally well and dominated. We scored first and then second and that was the moment to kill the game. Then we conceded just before the break, and it was a different story with a special atmosphere in the stadium. We didn't continue to play. It was chaos and we had to suffer.”
The mood at Anfield changed when Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka fell out with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Arteta, who woke up Kop in the same way last season, suggested that Salah's goal shortly before half-time was a real turning point.
'What are you doing?! Absolutely IDIOTIC from Jaka!» 😬@Carra23 about the COLLISION of Alexander-Arnold and Jaka! pic.twitter.com/zE4sxJAQfD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 9, 2023
«I don't know if that was the case,» Arteta insisted on the role of Xhaka. “After that, we had a big chance. At 3-0, the crowd wouldn't be so excited. The lesson is to stick to what we did in the first half. If we do that, we will win a lot of games.”
Liverpool are 12 points away from a Champions League place, their chances of finishing in the top four are almost over.
But Klopp has won comfort from him corresponds to the level of the opponent in pursuit of the title.
“I have a question, how can we not win this game,” he said. “This is another step in the right direction. We responded well and didn't fall apart. It's not good to lose 2-0, but we looked better and were more ready to fight back. At least one point is normal.
“We lack consistency and confidence. We have these ups and downs. Consistency is something we've had for six or seven years, but not this year.
“We have always tried to catch up with ourselves. We did what we had to do to help create the atmosphere in the stadium. It was because of the way we played.»
Salah missed his second consecutive penalty for Liverpool, which could mean he is exempt from the penalty.
«We'll talk about that later,» Klopp said.
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