Premier League official David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect after footage appearing to show him voicing foul-mouthed criticism of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp appeared on social media.
Two videos have been shared that allegedly capture Coote, 42, calling Klopp “f***ing arrogant” and a “German c***”.
It is currently unclear if the footage is legitimate or when it was filmed but the contents, widely circulated on Monday afternoon, is now the subject of an investigation by PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing in English football.
A PGMOL statement read: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
The first unverified video, seemingly filmed on a phone and spanning a minute, sees Coote asked for his opinion on an unspecified Liverpool game and then manager Klopp.
On Liverpool he says “s***” before adding: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown.
“He accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me. I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone whose f***ing arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him. (James) Milner’s alright. I get on with Milner.
“You can see me there with mask on. Social distancing — 10 metres apart. But my God, German c***, f*** me.”
A second, shorter video has been attached that stresses the importance of the first clip not being shared.
Footage has emerged appearing to show Coote criticising Klopp (Phil Noble/Pool via Getty Images)
Coote has been a Select One referee, the highest level in the UK, since the 2018-19 season after overseeing his first Premier League game in the previous campaign.
He has taken charge of six Premier League fixtures this season, most recently on Saturday refereeing Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield.
PGMOL and Liverpool have been approached for comment.
What is Liverpool’s background with Coote?
By Liverpool correspondent James Pearce
Liverpool have had a number of high-profile run-ins with Coote in recent years.
Rewind to last December and Jurgen Klopp was incensed that Coote, who was on VAR duty, didn’t advise referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the pitch side monitor after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard handled the ball inside the box.
The crunch clash between two Premier League title rivals finished 1-1 at Anfield.
Klopp said: “I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?”
Referees’ chief Howard Webb subsequently admitted that Coote had made an error and that the penalty should have been awarded.
Webb told Sky Sports’ ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’: “All the feedback we got after was very clear — the game expects a penalty in this situation and I would agree. This is one where we didn’t reach the right outcome on that basis.”
Coote was also the VAR when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk went unpunished in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020.
Van Dijk ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and was sidelined for nine months. Klopp was perplexed why Coote didn’t urge referee Michael Oliver to take action against Pickford having seen the replays.
(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
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