Official in Robertson elbow incident stood down

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis will not be involved in any matches while the Football Association investigate whether he elbowed Liverpool's Andrew Robertson.

The extraordinary incident occurred just after the half-time whistle had been blown during Liverpool's explosive 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal at Anfield.

Robertson appeared to confront Hatzidakis on the pitch, reaching to grab the arm of the official, who reacted by jabbing his elbow towards the left-back. Robertson gesticulated that he had been hit by Hatzidakis and was led away by teammates, only to receive a yellow card in the aftermath of the incident.

Hatzidakis will be sidelined until the probe is complete.

Keith Hackett, formerly head of the Premier League referees' body, said: "Ultimately, if he is found guilty ... his career is in jeopardy.

"I was trying to find an excuse as to why he did it ... was he in fear? He shouldn't be, because he's in a protected environment. But he reacted in a way that he shouldn't have ... he's clearly lost his composure."

Aleksandar Mitrovic was last week given an eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh in Fulham's FA Cup defeat against Manchester United last month.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, struggled to explain how his side did not complete a comeback win against Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus fired the Gunners to a 2-0 lead, but the momentum shifted after a scuffle between Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Mo Salah pulled a goal back before half-time but also missed a penalty and blazed a sitter over the crossbar in stoppage time.

Roberto Firmino scored Liverpool's 87th-minute equalizer while Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made two saves at the death to deny Salah and Ibrahima Konate.

Arsenal lead second-placed Manchester City by six points but have played a game more and must also visit the Etihad Stadium.