CONSTANTINE HATZIDAKIS has been suspended by ref boss Howard Webb over accusations he elbowed Liverpool star Andy Robertson.
The assistant was involved in an extraordinary half-time bust-up with the Scotland international in which he appeared to elbow the left-back in the throat.
Robertson was left raging and Hatzidakis, 38, now faces a lengthy FA ban if found guilty.
While that investigation is ongoing, the refs body PGMOL have confirmed that Hatzidakis will not run the line in any fixtures they cover.
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 was said to be “apoplectic” as he headed down the tunnel following the incident.
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Sky Sports’ touchline reporter Geoff Shreeves said following the incident: “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.”
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, working for Sky, labelled Robertson a “big baby” for his reaction, but Gary Neville added: “I’ve never seen an official raise an elbow to a player. He’ll be in a lot of trouble.”
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Following confirmation of Hatzidakis’ suspension, Neville tweeted: “The assistant referee in my opinion should get a b*****ing, miss next weekends fixtures and then get on with it.
“He’ll probably apologise to Robertson as well. Agree?”
PGMOL make their appointments for this weekend’s games on Tuesday.
It is the third time this year that newly appointed refereeing boss Webb has had to stand an official down.
After huge VAR blunders in February, both John Brooks and Lee Mason were taken off VAR duties for upcoming games while Mason, 51, left his role “by mutual consent” days later.
Earlier this month the FA hit Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic with an eight game ban for raising his hands to an official during their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.
Sunday’s pulsating encounter between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield finished 2-2.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had initially given the Gunners a 2-0 lead, but the hosts hit back through Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Salah also missed a penalty with the score 2-1.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
