Liverpool linesman slammed for Andy Robertson 'assault' as former ref demands lengthy ban for elbow incident

Linesman Constantine Hatzidakis should be banned from the game for his "appalling assault" on Andy Robertson.

That's the view of former Grade 1 whistler Steve Conroy who feels there is "no mitigation" for the official's elbow on the Scotland skipper. In one of the most bizarre moments of the Premier League season so far, the linesman appeared to catch Liverpool defender Robertson with an elbow during their 2-2 draw with Arsenal - leaving him "apoplectic" with rage according to Sky Sports' pitchside reporter Geoff Shreeves.

It was an incident Jurgen Klopp refused to watch back for fear he'd lose his rag and former ref Conroy reckons he'd have every reason to be. Conroy told New Slots Klosh: “It is appalling. That is an assault. If the player had done that to the ref or any of his team we would be clamouring for a red card.

“A player would expect a lengthy ban for that, then so should the assistant ref. There is no mitigation for that whatsoever. Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was handed an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh and this looks a lot worse."

Klopp said after the game: "I know it happened but I didn’t watch it because I didn't want to get in trouble for the things I say. If it happened the pictures will speak for themselves. But I didn't see it and I don't think I'll watch it.”

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