Linesman handed punishment for elbowing Andy Robertson during Liverpool game

The linesman accused of elbowing Liverpool star Andrew Robertson has been stood down.

While the Liverpool and Arsenal players were leaving the field for half-time during their 2-2 draw over the weekend, linesman Constantine Hatzidakis became involved in an incident with Robertson.

During the heated exchange, Hatzidakis appeared to elbow the Reds fullback who was approaching him.

Upon seeing footage of the clash, the PGMOL has launched an investigation, confirming Hatzidakis' punishment.

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.”

A linesman elbows Robertson in the chin and it’s he who then gets shown a yellow. Ok. pic.twitter.com/vcKXwnVvyr

— Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) April 9, 2023

Just Scotland Capitan Andy Robertson getting elbowed (and booked for it) by the linesman.

Nothing to see here. pic.twitter.com/i6jFpQIOq9

— Stephen Bissett (@stephebissett) April 9, 2023

At the time, Sky Sports' touchline reporter Geoff Shreeves said: "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."

The contact left Robertson visibly fuming as his Liverpool teammates rushed over to see what had just unfolded.

One of the first players to break their silence on the incident was Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

"I didn't get to see the move, but I saw that some teammates were talking about what happened. But I don't know what will happen," he told ESPN Brazil.

“I don't know if he had the intention of attacking, but then it's the Premier League that (must) resolve with the club. It's not up to me. Because I didn't see it either.

"Yes (Robertson was irritated). I think he had contact, right? But I can't say anything because I didn't talk to him about it".

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp also had his say on the matter.

"I didn't see it and I now have obviously time to watch it but I didn't just because I cannot give wrong answers," Klopp said after the match.

"I heard the pictures speak for themselves. I cannot say more. I didn't see a bit of it."

There have been a number of incidents involving players and referees this season, most notably Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic putting his hands on an official during the FA Cup quarterfinal loss to Manchester United.

This time, though, it's a referee touching a player – a decision refereeing boss Howard Webb will look at closely, no doubt.