Liverpool-Arsenal: linesman elbow Robertson?

From our correspondent Davide Chinellato

April 9th
– london

What happened at half-time in Liverpool v Arsenal between Andrew Robertson and assistant Constantine Hatzidakis? According to the Reds defender, the incredible elbow of a linesman to a player who was so furious after the close encounter that he was held up by his teammates while he protested with the referee, who punished him with a yellow card. What happened will be clarified by Pgmol, the association that supervises Premier’s whistles. “We are aware of the incident – they said in a statement – and we will review what happened in full”.

the accident

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Referee Paul Tierney had just blown the half-time whistle when Robertson approached Hatzidakis to protest. Sky Sport UK, which broadcast the match, does not have specific videos of the incident, but lateral and frontal shots: in the videos Robertson can be seen approaching the linesman, perhaps even pushing him or leaning on him with his body, before a gesture by Hatzidakis with his right arm appearing to hit Robertson in the chin. “He elbowed me in the face” the Reds player can be seen saying to his teammates, while he is barely held back and persuaded to leave the field, not before the referee has shown him the yellow card for protesting.

investigations

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The investigation launched by the referees’ association should shed some light. The assistant, a 38-year-old international, risks suspension if it is proved that he really hit Robertson with an elbow. But the defender of the Reds is also at risk of disqualification, should it turn out that he pushed or yanked the referee. “I haven’t seen what happened but they tell me the images speak for themselves,” Klopp said, taking no position on the matter. Robertson made no statement after the game.