Referees attacking players are having a moment

Referees across the globe are starting to take matters into their own hands

When assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis threw an elbow at Liverpool defender Andy Robertson on Sunday, many fans were likely stunned to see such an act of aggression from somebody charged with policing the game.

Liga MX fans probably just shrugged.

After all, they witnessed a center referee deliver a knee directly to the groin of a player just a week prior. An assistant throwing an elbow and barely making contact? Child’s play.

Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. (PGMOL), the body responsible for referees across English football, didn’t quite agree, suspending Hatzidakis until an FA investigation was complete.

“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,” a statement read.

Both of these incidents had something in common, aside from referees deciding to dole out some vigilante justice. In each case, a furious player was encroaching on the referee’s personal space.

Neither of the referees did the right thing, but they would both likely argue that there need to be more protections in place from players who get a little too close for comfort.

Maybe Roy Keane wouldn’t agree with all of that, but the longtime Manchester United midfielder did indicate — in his own special way — that Robertson was also in the wrong during the incident with Hatzidakis.

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