Constantine Hatzidakis apologises to Andy Robertson after ‘elbow’ with official to face no FA action | Football News

The FA says will probably be taking no additional motion in opposition to Constantine Hatzidakis after the match official appeared to elbow Andy Robertson throughout Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal final weekend.

The incident occurred because the gamers had been leaving the pitch at half-time in the course of the Premier League meeting at Anfield, with Robertson approaching Hatzidakis earlier than he then complained of being caught by the official.

No motion was taken on the time however PGMOL, the match officers’ physique, mentioned Hatzidakis wouldn’t officiate till an investigation had been concluded.

That investigation has now taken place, with the FA saying: “We’ve completely reviewed the entire proof in relation to the current incident at Anfield involving the Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and match official Constantine Hatzidakis, and we will probably be taking no additional motion.

“Our complete course of concerned reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and PGMOL, in addition to a number of angles of video footage, in relation to each the incident and its surrounding circumstances.”

In a press release launched by PGMOL, Hatzidakis revealed he had apologised to Robertson, who was given a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney for his complaints after the incident.

“I absolutely assisted the FA with their investigation and have mentioned the matter immediately with Andy Robertson throughout an open and optimistic dialog,” mentioned Hatzidakis.

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

“I sit up for returning to officiating matches.”

After the match, Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp was unable to solid any gentle on the incident, saying: “I do know it occurred however I did not watch it.

“If it occurred, the photographs will converse for themselves.”

After the sport, Ref Help UK mentioned Hatzidakis ought to be held to account if he was discovered to have dedicated wrongdoing, however mentioned the foundations want altering to cease gamers from crowding officers.

Martin Cassidy, the chief government, mentioned: “There are not any clear boundaries, subsequently we consider there ought to be an exclusion zone of two metres round match officers to forestall aggressive contact.

“If this zone is breached the referee can problem an in-game sanction.

“That mentioned, match officers are the guardian of requirements and should even be held accountable if discovered responsible of comparable behaviour in direction of a participant or any participant of the sport.

“Any sanction issued to a match official should mirror the identical sanctions issued to participant and participant.”

How the incident unfolded

Keane: Did Robertson pull assistant ref first?

Watching the incident at half-time, Roy Keane questioned whether or not Robertson, whose aspect had been trailing 2-1 on the time, really grabbed the assistant referee first earlier than the alleged elbow occurred.

“I’ve not seen something prefer it, actually. However Robertson… does he seize the linesman first?” Keane mentioned within the Sky Sports activities studio.

“I am unsure. However Robertson’s complaining. He ought to be extra fearful about his defending.

“I’ve watched Robertson numerous occasions and he’s a giant child. Simply get on with the sport and focus on your defending. He does seize the linesman first.”