Ref should be made example of after elbow incident - opinion
Visually, it appeared to be a 'heat of the moment' reaction from the match official after the Scot rushed over to him at the half-time break.
Robertson, naturally, protested what had happened to referee Paul Tierney but was shown a yellow card for dissent.
A closer inspection of footage from the match disproves suggestions the Liverpool defender shoved Hatzidakis, as some commentary would have you believe.
Perhaps it could be entirely put down to a 'heat of the moment' reaction, but the ref absolutely cannot go unpunished in the incident's wake.
It's not so much a case of demonising Hatzidakis, but more about the message it could send if the powers that be don't make an example of him.
Taking him out of the rotation for the Premier League, banning him, knocking him down to only EFL matches - on a temporary basis - would do the trick.
Other referees, be it aspiring youngsters at a grassroots level or those already working in the country's lower leagues, can't believe it's acceptable to act in such a way; 'if someone at the very top can get away with it, maybe I could too'.
Some commentators have suggested it's not so much a big deal, but I'd be more inclined to liken it to a bouncer at a club assaulting a rowdy patron.
These figures of authority are supposed to be the ones to keep the calm and officiate, not partake in any madness.
For what it's worth, the PGMOL have said they are investigating the issue. It will be 'reviewed in full' is the line they've given media outlets.
UPDATE: Hatzidakis will not be appointed to fixtures while the FA investigates the incident. Read more here.
It's a unique incident and only time will tell how it'll reflect on Hatzidakis and, wider, the state of refereeing in this country - and how the powers that be hold one of their own to account.
