Until the Football Association looks into whether he elbowed Andrew Robertson of Liverpool, assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis won’t be working any games.
The unusual incident happened right after halftime during Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 tie between Liverpool and Premier League leaders Arsenal at Anfield.
Hatzidakis replied by jabbing his elbow in the direction of Robertson, a Liverpool left-back, who had appeared to confront him on the field and was attempting to seize his arm.
Hatzidakis was being escorted away by teammates when Robertson made a gesture indicating that he had been struck by the Greek player. Hatzidakis was then given a yellow card for the bizarre incident.
Hatzidakis will be benched pending the end of the FA’s investigation into his involvement in the dispute.