no punishment for referee suspected of punching Andrew Robertson

The English Football Federation announced on Thursday April 13 that it would not take any action against the linesman who appeared to have elbowed Liverpool defender Andy Robertson at half-time in the match against Arsenal (2-2), Sunday. “No action will be taken against assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis following the incident with Andy Robertson”the FA said in a statement.

After a rather tense end to the first period where Liverpool had managed to reduce the score after being trailing 2-0, Robertson had gone to the referee to speak to him. Hatzidakis then raised his arm and his elbow appeared to have touched the player’s chin or throat. The incident provoked renewed protests from the Reds and the defender, who was warned in the process.

The FA claims to have “reviewed very carefully all the elements in relation to the incident”as “statements from Liverpool and the PGMOL (the body in charge of professional arbitration in England), as well as multiple angles of the incident and the surrounding circumstances” to make his decision.

In a separate statement, issued by PGMOL, Hatzidakis gave his version, pleading accidental contact. “I have fully cooperated with the FA in their investigation and have discussed this matter directly with Andy Robertson in an open and positive discussion”he explained. “It was certainly not my intention to cause contact with Andy as I moved my arm away from him and for that I apologized”he added.