Ref Support UK believes the rules of the game need to be changed to avoid incidents like the Andy Robertson vs Constantine Hatzidakis confrontation
A charity representing referees has called for major changes to the Laws of the Game after line referee Constantine Hatzidakis was embroiled in a confrontation with Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
Hatzidakis has been suspended by the PGMOL arbitration body while the FA investigate the incident that occurred at half-time during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. The assistant referee was accused of elbowing Robertson, who approached him after the whistle.
The shocking incident is the latest in a series of high-profile clashes between players and officials. Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was given an eight-match ban earlier this month after grabbing referee Chris Kavanagh's hand, while Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes escaped punishment for touching line-of-fielder Adam Nunn. Ref Support UK, an independent charity representing the interests of officials, is concerned about the series of incidents and calls on the FA to act immediately. While not defending Hatzidakis' actions, the charity's chief executive, Martin Cassidy, believes the incident is part of a more disturbing trend in football.
He told Mirror Football: “This officer appears to have been out of action. "And if it's intentional and aggressive behavior, then he should be banned like any other player - not more, but [for the same amount of time]. The lesson to be learned here is:
What did the players do and mistreat the match referee? »
Andy Robertson and Constantin Hatzidakis
Constantine Hatzidakis grabs Andy Robertson with the elbow
He added:
"Deal with the effect, but you also have to deal with the cause. What made that elbow hit his face? He grabbed a match official. What happened to Mitrovic? He grabbed a match official. What happened to Fernandes? He touched a match official. Do not touch a match official. It's not rocket science.
Cassidy had previously served as a match referee and was concerned about the players disrespecting the referee. He believes these incidents would not have happened if the players had been prevented from reaching the officials in the first place.
"We asked for a two-metre rule," he said. “We've had that since Covid. It would be easy to say:
"If you approach the referee within two meters, uninvited, in an aggressive manner, you will either get a yellow card or be sent off." There are currently no borders."
Alexander Mitrovic
Aleksandar Mitrovic banned for facing Chris Kavanagh
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The FA have fined more than £1.3m this season against clubs for failing to test their players, with Manchester United being the heaviest offenders with fines amounting to £202,000. Cassidy argues that the number of fines indicates that the system is not working and that a different approach is needed.
"Financial penalties don't work at any level of football," he said. "They've seen money as a punishment for ages and I don't think it's right to make money by abusing referees.
“The abused individual does not receive mercy – that is the wrong approach. We need to start deducting points. So if someone is found guilty of abusing the referee, that person's team will lose points. Deterrence will be there.
The Robertson incident is just the most famous and recent incident of clashes between officials and players. Cassidy highlighted the incident involving referee Darren Drysdale and Ipswich player Alan Judge, which resulted in Drysdale's suspension .
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