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Football

09th Apr 2023

Andy Robertson accuses linesmen of ‘throwing elbow’ in Arsenal game

Callum Boyle

The incident occurred at half time.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson accused the assistant referee of throwing an elbow at him at half time of their game against Arsenal.

The Reds went into the break 2-1 after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus gave the Gunners a controlling lead before Mohamed Salah halved the deficit five minutes before half time.

As the game was paused for half time Liverpool players went to protest a number of decisions that had gone against him before Jamie Carragher picked up on the incident involving Robertson.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Linesman elbow on Robertson!”

Footage captured by the cameras appeared to show the assistant raising an arm to the face of the Scotland international, to which he shouted: “he’d just elbowed me in the throat.”

Pitchside reporter Geoff Shrives also confirmed that the full back was left seething in the Anfield tunnel and made his feelings known to the officials, along with captain Jordan Henderson, who also spoke to the officials in support of his teammate.

Reacting to what happened in the studio, fiery presenter Roy Keane was less forgiving towards Robertson and labelled him a “big baby” and calling for him to get on with the game.

Salah had a chance to equalise from the spot early in the second half but placed his shot the wrong side of the post early into the second half as the Reds tried to find their way back into the game.

The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Roberto Firmino levelling matters. After the game, PGMOL said it would investigate the footage.

“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.”

 

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