Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis will face no action after a Football Association investigation into his suspected elbow on Andy Robertson.
Hatzidakis said “it was certainly not my intention to make any contact with Andy” as PGMOL, the refereeing body, looked set to reinstate him to matches.
Football had been divided over how governing bodies should react to Hatzidakis’ sharply-raised arm as Liverpool’s Robertson remonstrated towards him at the end of the first half in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
But the FA brought the case to a swift conclusion after reviewing “multiple angles” of video footage and taking statements from Liverpool and the officials involved.
“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,” the FA said.
Hatzidakis, who had been initially stood down by the PGMOL while investigations took place, apologised to Robertson during a Zoom call set up by PGMOL chief Howard Webb and the Scottish international and the club were satisfied with how the issue was handled.
“I fully assisted The FA with their investigation and have discussed the matter directly with Andy Robertson during an open and positive conversation,” he said. “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.”
The FA added: “Our comprehensive process involved reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and PGMOL, as well as multiple angles of video footage, in relation to both the incident and its surrounding circumstances.”
Former FA Cup final referee Keith Hackett had said prior to the verdict that PGMOL may have been duty bound to consider his employment status if the FA pursued sanctions.
On Sunday, Robertson approached Hatzidakis angrily, with Hatzidakis then raising his arm which appeared to hit Robertson on the chin. After the incident, several Liverpool team-mates approached referee Paul Tierney, who booked 29-year-old Robertson.
Several ex referees had suggested sanctions. In Mexico last week Liga MX referee Fernando Hernandez was handed a 12-match ban after kneeing Leon’s Lucas Romero in the groin.
However, several pundits insisted there was no case to answer. During Sky Sports coverage of the match, Roy Keane described Scotland international Robertson as a “big baby” over his reaction to the confrontation.
Stuart Pearce, meanwhile, told TalkSport: “You’ve got to bear in mind what happened in the 45 minutes before, because Robertson is playing on that linesman’s side, so he’s made a beeline for him probably because of certain incidents and decisions he wasn’t happy with…I think it’s the perfect opportunity to start backing the officials in the game.”