Open Extended ReactionsJürgen Klopp of Liverpool complains to fourth official David Coote during a game in May 2022. Robin Jones/Getty Images
Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending a full investigation after a video was circulated on social media which appeared to show him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp.
Two clips were posted on an account on X in which Coote is apparently sat on a sofa next to an unidentified male, who asks questions about Liverpool and Klopp.
If the video is verified as being genuine, Coote -- who was the referee for Liverpool's 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Saturday -- would appear to have no future as a top-flight referee. There will be no further update from PGMOL, the refereeing body for English football, until the investigation has been completed, but Coote will be unavailable for selection as a referee or a VAR during this time.
Coote, 42, has been a Premier League referee since 2018 and took charge of the 2024 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle, He was a FIFA-listed official between 2020 and 2022.
While not on a UEFA list as a referee, he has, alongside Stuart Attwell, been a lead VAR and was appointed to Euro 2024.
It is unclear when the video was filmed, but there is reference to Coote being fourth official on a Liverpool game earlier in the day and COVID social distancing.
When asked about Liverpool's performance in the game, Coote replies "Liverpool were s---."
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The referee is then asked about Klopp, to which he responds: "C---, absolute c---."
Asked why he has this opinion, Coote adds: "Aside from having a right pop at me when I was reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right f---ing pop at me. And I've got no interest in speaking to somebody as f---ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner's alright."
Coote officiated a 1-1 draw for Liverpool at home to Burnley in July 2020
What suggests the video was filmed during lockdown is that Coote then shows a picture of him in a mask on the touchline at a Liverpool game, and says: "You can see me there with [a] mask on. COVID, gotta be done. Social distancing, right? We're 10 metres apart."
Coote then adds in another apparent reference to Klopp: "But, oh my God. German c---. F--- me."
The individual sat alongside Coote then said: "Long story short, Jürgen Klopp's a c---, Liverpool are all f---ing bellends. and we hate Scousers."
The second, shorter video sees Coote say: "Just to be clear, that f---ing last video can't go anywhere, seriously."
The other person then responds: "He's a Premier League referee, let's not f---ing ruin his career. Let's face it, we're good blokes but we can't ruin a bloke's career, we're not that bad. Also he's a f---ing legend. So let's not ruin his career."
Source: espn.co.uk