Referee’s Elbow Sparks FA Probe
Tempers flared at the end of the first half when assistant referee Hatzidakis appeared to elbow Liverpool’s Andy Robertson. The defender’s teammates erupted in fury, while referee Paul Tierney slapped Hatzidakis with a booking on the spot.
Now, the PGMOL has stepped in. They confirmed Hatzidakis will be sidelined from all matches while the Football Association investigates the incident.
Ex-Referee Sounds Alarm: Career on the Line
Former Premier League official Keith Hackett slammed Hatzidakis’ actions, saying he “clearly lost his composure” and warning the assistant’s career “is in jeopardy” if found guilty. Hackett referenced Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic’s hefty eight-game ban last month for pushing a referee, urging a similar heavy penalty for Hatzidakis if the claims stick.
Football Faces a Referee Crisis
- Ex-Blackburn striker Chris Sutton demanded zero tolerance on officials “throwing elbows” in the game.
- But former Manchester United midfield enforcer Roy Keane took a different stance, branding Robertson a “big baby” and claiming the player started the scuffle.
The clash has ignited a broader debate over referees’ roles and player conduct towards officials. Writing in the Daily Mail, ex-Premier League whistler Mark Clattenburg urged referees to keep their cool, stressing: “Under no circumstances can we respond, certainly not physically.” He added the incident might not have been deliberate but confirmed it underscores the urgent need for officials to stay professional under pressure.
