Constantine Hatzidakis was in trouble after elbowing Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson during a game against Arsenal.
Hatzidakis elbowed the Liverpool defender in the neck as the two teams walked off the pitch after half-time in Sunday's thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.
The assistant referee has been sacked while the Football Association investigates the incident.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has called for an eight-match ban for Hatzidakis.
But who is Constantin Hatzidakis? And why did he become an assistant referee? Sportsmail provides all the answers below.
Constantine Hatzidakis is about to be in trouble after elbowing Andrew Robertson
Constantine Hatzidakis is about to be in trouble after elbowing Andrew Robertson
The incident occurred during the 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred during the 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Who is Konstantin Hatzidakis?
Hatzidakis, 38, started his career as a referee at the age of 14 when he realized his dream of playing football would not come true.
Prior to refereeing, Hatzidakis also competed in domestic rugby against the Harlequins as well as swimming at the senior level. The assistant referee comes from a family of Panathinaikos fans and is said to be a Charlton fan.
Despite realizing that he would never succeed in his professional career, Hatzidakis still wanted to be involved in football to some extent.
He will have the opportunity to start refereeing after his brother's football team needs a referee for their matches.
Hatzidakis revealed that he studied through an arbitration academy in south-east London with Charlton.
After promotion, Hatzidakis was promoted to the Premier League as assistant referee four years ago. However, throughout his career, Hatzidakis has also participated in a number of EFL matches as a referee.
Hatzidakis was promoted to the Premier League as assistant referee four years ago
Hatzidakis was promoted to the Premier League as assistant referee four years ago
How long has he been in the Premier League?
Hatzidakis rose to prominence before he had a chance to become a Football League referee or Premier League assistant.
Speaking to GB Active four years ago, Hatzidakis said:
“Last season, I had the choice between interviewing to become a FA referee or making the decision to stay in the Premier League and devote myself to the job of assistant referee for the rest. of career.
"Due to circumstances outside of football and as a human being, it was too good an opportunity to pass up."
Since the decision, Hatzidakis has been able to play regularly in the Premier League. It was his fourth game against Liverpool this season, the Reds having won only once.
Hatzidakis (R) has been playing consistently throughout the Premier League season so far
Hatzidakis (R) has been playing consistently throughout the Premier League season so far
He was also the scorer in a 0-1 loss to Nottingham Forest in October, a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Gift Day and a 3-0 defeat at Wolves in February.
Hatzidakis has been involved in every game so far this season, either as an assistant or VAR assistant.
Sunday's controversy was not his first time as an official. Hatzidakis refused to give Nottingham Forest a penalty in the deciding game of automatic promotion at Bournemouth in May 2022. This prompted Forest owner Evangelios Marinakis to claim the top flight had been 'ripped off' from the side.
The assistant referee has been removed from his role while the FA investigates the incident
The assistant referee has been removed from his role while the FA investigates the incident
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