April 11 – It isn’t every day that an official is at the centre of a foul play inquiry but assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis (pictured) has been stood down while the English Football Association looks into a clash with Liverpool defender Andy Robertson on Sunday.
The linesman appeared to raise his arm when colliding with Robertson at halftime during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.
Robertson was seen remonstrating with Hatzidakis and video replays appeared to show the official brushing off the Scotland international defender and catching him with his elbow.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees referees and assistants, said Hatzidakis had been taken off duty while the FA investigates the incident
Robertson was booked for dissent by referee Paul Tierney as the players walked off the Anfield pitch and down the tunnel at the interval.
Keith Hackett, a former Premier League referee, said Hatzidakis’s career is now in ‘jeopardy’ while Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp said he did not see the incident though “something happened”.
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