During Liverpool’s match against Arsenal, it looked that a Premier League linesman elbowed Andy Robertson, know who is the assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis
Since everyone is curious about who the linesman is that elbowed Andy Robertson. Let’s get started.
Watch the footage below.
Linesman Constantine Hatzidakis seemed to hit the Scotland skipper in the throat as the halftime whistle sounded. Following the odd circumstance, referee Paul Tierney issued a booking to Robertson. A group of Liverpool players, led by the Scot and captain Jordan Henderson, swarmed the officials.
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
Who is assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis who elbowed Andy Robertson, bio, age, family, career stats
Since West Ham’s match against Southampton in 2014, the linesman, 38, has served as a Premier League official.
Hatzidakis, 38, started his refereeing career at the age of 14 when he realised his dream to play football would not come true and prior to refereeing, Hatzidakis also competed at the national level in rugby with Harlequins as well as swimming at a high level.
A year after serving as the reserve official in the FA Cup final, Hatzidakis got the top gig in 2019, running the line as City walloped Watford 6-0.
A member of the Kent football association, Hatzidakis came through a referees’ academy in Charlton and the square-jawed official comes from ‘a family of hardcore Charlton fans’, by his own description. Led by his grandmother, Hatzidakis would regularly go to watch the Addicks at the Den while they were in the Premier League and his uncle played for Charlton’s academy and his mum actually featured for the women’s team.
Robertson went up to the referee following the conclusion of the first half to have made his feelings known to Constantine Hatzidakis. However, the player claimed that the linesman elbowed him in the face. As Robertson entered the tunnel at halftime, according to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves, he was enraged and accused the official of “elbowing him in the throat.”
Following an altercation that shocked Liverpool’s players and coaching staff, Robertson, who had received a warning from referee Paul Tierney for criticizing Hatzidakis earlier in the game, was punished for dissent. In contrast, Roy Keane referred to Robertson as a “big baby” and advised him to “focus on his defending.”
Official statement from PGMOL
Regarding the alleged elbow from Premier League linesman Constantine Hatzidakis on Andy Robertson, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited body (PGMOL) has issued a statement. According to a statement, there was an altercation between Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis during halftime of the Liverpool vs. Arsenal game at Anfield and investigations have been started by PGMOL and the Football Association.
Is Robertson in danger?
When Robertson and Liverpool were involved in a controversy with the same group of referees last season, Harry Kane escaped punishment for a serious foul on the defender while the full-back was dismissed. Should it be discovered that Robertson grabbed Hatzidakis before the elbow, he might potentially run into trouble with the FA.
Jürgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, declined to comment and stated that his staff and the referees had not spoken after the game.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in a thrilling match, but Mohamed Salah responded before halftime and missed a penalty in the second half before Roberto Firmino equalised in the 87th minute.