Former referees Mark Clattenburg and Mark Halsey have questioned the reactions of assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis after the official appeared to throw an elbow at Andy Robertson during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, and both say he could now face a ban.
Shortly before half-time during what proved a dramatic clash at Anfield, the left back approached the official and appeared to shove him, with Hatzidakis responding by raising an elbow which caught Robertson in the face. The incident incensed the Scot, who was then yellow carded for dissent as he and teammate protested to referee Paul Tierney.
The PGMOL have since confirmed they will be investigating the flashpoint, stating they were "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", adding it would "review the matter in full."
Clattenberg, 48, sympathised with referee chief Howard Webb for having to deal with the 'unwanted headache', but warned officials can ill-afford to lose their temper even when under provocation: "Players can push us officials to the limit," he wrote in the Daily Mail.
"They can provoke to the point where you are probably tempted to give them something in return. But under no circumstances can we can respond. Certainly not physically.
"Hatzidakis did and there will now be a clamour for him to be banned, given Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to miss eight matches for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh last month."
The man who took charge of the Euro 2016 final in France did say he didn't think Hatzidakis deliberately caught Robertson, but another former ref, Halsey, took aim at both men involved. Despite insinuating the assistant, who has been involved in 14 Premier League games this season, accidentally made contact, Halsey was left stunned by his actions.
"I cannot think why an assistant would throw his arms into a player’s face," he said in The Sun. "Sure, from one camera angle it does not look good.
"But you have to ask why has Robertson gone to approach the assistant referee?"
And also referencing the Alexander Mitrovic incident, he warned Hatzidakis could now face the same fate.
"You have to ask why has Robertson gone to approach the assistant referee?" he added. "I have heard people say this is the end of the linesman’s career, but, just like Aleksandar Mitrovic, it is his full-time job. However, if he is proven guilty and did intentionally use his elbow then he will face the same consequences as the Fulham frontman."
The controversy overshadowed an otherwise pulsating afternoon, with the hosts fighting back from 2-0 down to earn a point. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had put Arsenal in control before Mo Salah pulled one back before half time, before Roberto Firmino's late header levelled matters.
