Calls for linesman to get EIGHT-MATCH ban after ‘elbowing’ Andy Robertson as pundit calls it ‘unprecedented’
FOOTBALL pundits have called for a ban on the controversial linesman who appeared to elbow Andy Robertson during the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Reds and the Gunners drew 2-2 after goals by Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus’ strikes.
But assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis stole the headlines at half-time during a shocking moment between him and Liverpool‘s Robertson.
The full-back approached Hatzidakis and replays appear to show Hatzidakis strike the full-back.
Referees’ body the PGMOL has announced it will investigate the alleged elbow.
And former England international Darren Bent quickly took to Twitter and called for an eight-game ban, just like Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic was penalised.
Bent tweeted: “8 game ban for the linesman.”
Mitrovic is currently serving an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh in their FA Cup loss at Manchester United on 19 March.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton was watching the game for BBC Radio 5 Live and thinks Hatzidakis should be punished for the “unprecedented” reaction.
Sutton said: “I really don’t know what he was thinking. As far as I can see, he has to be banned.
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“He will have to sit out a number of games. I can’t remember another incident like this. Where is the precedent for these things?”
Sutton added: “A big debating point was Mitrovic and the eight-game ban and the FA want him banned for more but you can’t have assistants throwing elbows. What should the punishment be?”
PGMOL’s statement said it was “aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time during the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture at Anfield”.
The statement added the body will “review the matter in full” after a fiery encounter at Anfield.