Richard Keys says the FA’s failure to punish Bruno Fernandes ‘has come back to bite them’

Richard Keys has insisted that the FA’s failure to punish Bruno Fernandes for shoving a linesman has ‘come back to bite them’ after Constantine Hatzidakis lashed out at Andy Robertson. 

The Manchester United midfielder avoided punishment for pushing the linesman during their 7-0 loss to Liverpool last month.

Now the FA have been left with a decision to make after Hatzidakis elbowed Andy Robertson during Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Keys has compared the two incidents in his latest blog, and feels the FA’s failure to punish Fernandes has come back to bit them.  

He wrote: ‘We’ll maybe never know exactly what happened at half-time when Robertson and assistant Hatzidakis clashed. The pictures aren’t good for the lino, but I hope he escapes censure – just as Bruno Fernandes did on that very same ground.

Andy Robertson meanwhile was caught with an elbow by linesman Constantine Hatzidakis

Richard Keys said the FA’s failure to punish Fernandes ‘has come back to bite them’

‘I said then that Fernandes should’ve been charged. The FA rightly threw the book at Mitrovic, but a week or two before that incident at Old Trafford they let Fernandes off after he laid hands on an assistant. See. These things come back to bite you.

‘As Robertson approached Hatzikakis perhaps the assistant was concerned about his safety? He’d have every right to be. 

‘What an irony that Liverpool last week paid the FA another £75,000 for failing to control their players during the recent game against City. That was after a combined £60,000 with Everton following the derby. In total PL clubs have been fined £1.3m for ref abuse this season – Arsenal have contributed £185,000.’

Robertson was criticised by Manchester United legend Roy Keane after the match involving Liverpool and Arsenal – describing him as a ‘big baby’. 

Keys agreed with Keane’s comments comments but also accused both the former midfielder and fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville of ‘inventing ref abuse’. 

Keys accused Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane of ‘inventing ref abuse’ during their time at Manchester United

He added: ‘Robertson had no right to confront the assistant at half-time. I don’t agree with Roy Keane often, but he was right when he said Robertson behaved ‘like a baby’. 

‘Mind you – let’s not forget that Keane, Neville and co invented ref abuse. Just ask Andy D’Urso.’

More to follow…