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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Jurgen Klopp reaction speaks volumes after FA take no action for assistant referee elbow

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes the incident involving Andy Robertson and Constantine Hatzidakis has been dealt with "really well in the end".

The Football Association (FA) have decided to take no further action against Hatzidakis after the assistant referee was accused of elbowing Scotland captain Robertson during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal at Anfield on Easter Sunday.

Liverpool offered their full co-operation to the FA and refereeing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), following the incident. Hatzidakis will not officiate this weekend due to the investigation but is set to return for the next round of fixtures.

Klopp was asked for his reaction to the FA's verdict at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning. Liverpool take on Leeds at Elland Road on Monday night.

Klopp replied: "I think it has been dealt with really well in the end. I spoke to Robbo and think it has been dealt with really well."

Hatzidakis was suspended by PGMOL following the incident, with fans calling for him to be banned. It's just a week since Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was handed an eight-game suspension for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during an FA Cup tie in March.

The Football Association have decided to take no further action against the assistant referee (Sky Sports)

Over half (56%) of 3,600 Mirror readers felt the official did not deserve to be banned, while 44 per cent believed Hatzidakis should have been suspended. What do you make of the incident involving Andy Robertson and Constantine Hatzidakis? Let us know in the comments below!

Yet the FA made their stance clear. A statement read: "We have thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence in relation to the recent incident at Anfield involving the Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and match official Constantine Hatzidakis, and we will be taking no further action.

"Our comprehensive process involved reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and the PGMOL, as well as multiple angles of video footage, in relation to both the incident and its surrounding circumstances."

Robertson is yet to comment on the matter Hatzidakis broke his silence after the verdict was reached. He said, "I fully assisted The FA with their investigation and have discussed the matter directly with Andy Robertson during an open and positive conversation.

"It was certainly not my intention to make any contact with Andy as I pulled my arm away from him and for that I have apologised. I look forward to returning to officiating matches."

Roy Keane criticised Robertson for approaching Hatzidakis in the first place. He told Sky Sports: "What's he going over to him for? What's he complaining for? I said at half-time, Robertson - what a baby! What a big baby, just get on with the game! Baby."

But Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I really don't know what he was thinking. As far as I can see, he has to be banned. 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?"

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