Former Premier League referees Peter Walton and Mark Clattenburg have leapt to the defense of linesman Constantine Hatzidakis.
The official was seen on camera aiming an elbow at Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
The incident occurred at the start of the half-time break, with no action taken against Hatzidakis during the clash.
"Of course, Constantine Hatzidakis should not have pushed his elbow towards Andrew Robertson. All officials have a duty to uphold standards and the PGMOL probe may bring a reprimand," said Walton, per the Liverpool Echo.
"However, I believe the available replays make the incident look worse than it probably was. Robertson went over to the assistant, and Hatzidakis then motions in the Liverpool left back's direction. The quality of the footage makes more than speculation difficult.
"Regardless, this episode is emblematic of the heightening tensions between players and officials. It is also worth emphasizing that Robertson instigated the dispute by unnecessarily approaching Hatzidakis, as the confronting of referees and their assistants continues."
"I have studied the footage that the PGMOL will look at and all the angles suggest Andrew Robertson initiated contact with Constantine Hatzidakis before the official reacted by swinging his arm," Clattenberg wrote for the Mail.
"In doing so, Hatzidakis's elbow appeared to catch Robertson on the chin. Webb will now speak to Hatzidakis to get his side of the story. He should ask Robertson what happened, too.
"Players can push us officials to the limit. They can provoke to the point where you are probably tempted to give them something in return. But under no circumstances can we can respond. Certainly not physically."
