Constantine Hatzidakis, the linesman who appeared to elbow Liverpool defender Andy Robertson in the face, is at risk of being sacked, says former referees' chief Keith Hackett.
Remarkable footage appeared to show Hatzidakis grabbed by the Scot and throw an elbow in reaction during the half-time break of Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
An irate Robertson was led away by team-mates but, while he received a yellow card in the aftermath, it is the action of Hatzidakis that will come under further scrutiny, with referees' body the PGMOL saying Hatzidakis has been stood down during an investigation.
A statement read: “PGMOL will not be appointing Constantine Hatzidakis to fixtures in any of the competition it serves whilst The FA investigates the incident involving the assistant referee and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at Anfield.”
Hackett, formerly head of the PGMOL, told BBC Radio Five Live: "Ultimately, if he is found guilty of this, his career is in jeopardy.
"I was trying to find an excuse as to why he did it and I came up with was he in fear? He shouldn't be, because he's in a protected environment with plenty of security.
"But he reacted in a way that he shouldn't have reacted at the end of the day and here we are talking about a match official and not a decision, but an action by a match official - and he's clearly lost his composure."
Another former top-flight referee, Mark Halsey, put the spotlight on Robertson's behaviour and believes a ban is the most likely punishment for Hatzidakis if he is proven to have committed an offence.
Writing in The Sun, Halsey drew a parallel with Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was recently banned for eight matches for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh.
Halsey said: "To me, it looks like Robertson goes to grab Hatzidakis, who brushes him off with his arm and catches him accidentally.
"I cannot think why an assistant would throw his arms into a player's face. Sure, from one camera angle it does not look good. But you have to ask why has Robertson gone to approach the assistant referee?
"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.
"Match officials are the guardians of standards and must be accountable if found guilty for that type of behaviour towards a player."
The PGMOL quickly issued a statement on Sunday, saying: "The PGMOL is 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.
"We will review the matter in full once the game has concluded."
