Soccer

Constantine Hatzidakis to face no further action after Andy Robertson incident

Official says contact made when pulling arm away from player

Liverpool's Andy Robertson appeals to assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis during the Premier League match against Arsenal at Anfield. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Liverpool's Andy Robertson appeals to assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis during the Premier League match against Arsenal at Anfield. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Thu Apr 13 2023 - 22:31

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis will face no further action from the English Football Association following an apparent elbow on Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.

The incident occurred just after the half-time whistle had been blown during the Reds’ 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal on Sunday, with Hatzidakis reacting after being confronted by Robertson.

Hatzidakis was stood down during the FA investigation but, having spoken with and apologised to Robertson, has now been cleared of any wrongdoing and is free to continue his career.

“We have thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence in relation to the recent incident at Anfield involving the Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and match official Constantine Hatzidakis, and we will be taking no further action,” read an FA statement.

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“Our comprehensive process involved reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Ltd], as well as multiple angles of video footage, in relation to both the incident and its surrounding circumstances.”

Sky Sports cameras zooming in on the confrontation showed Hatzidakis seemingly throwing up his arm and making contact with Robertson, who gesticulated that he had been hit by the official.

An irate Robertson was led away by team-mates but, while he received a yellow card in the aftermath, it was the action of Hatzidakis that came under further scrutiny.

In a statement issued by PGMOL, Hatzidakis said: “I fully assisted the FA with their investigation and have discussed the matter directly with Andy Robertson during an open and positive conversation.

“It was certainly not my intention to make any contact with Andy as I pulled my arm away from him and for that I have apologised.

“I look forward to returning to officiating matches.”