David Coote: PGMOL suspends referees after alleged comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Premier League official David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect after footage appeared on social media that appeared to show him making foul criticism of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Two videos were shared in which Coote, 42, allegedly called Klopp “bloody arrogant” and a “German bastard”.

It is currently unclear whether the footage is legitimate and when it was filmed, but the content, which was widely shared on Monday afternoon, is now the subject of an investigation by PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing in English football.

A PGMOL statement said: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will have no further comment until this process is complete.”

In the first unconfirmed video, which appears to have been filmed on a phone and is a minute long, Coote is first asked his opinion on an unspecified Liverpool game and then on manager Klopp.

He says “shit” to Liverpool before adding: “Apart from the fact that I really attacked myself when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown.

“He accused me of lying and then just attacked me with a bloody bang. I have no interest in talking to someone who is arrogant as hell. I try my best not to talk to him. (James) Milner is fine. I get along with Milner.

“You see me with a mask on. Social distancing – 10 meters apart. But my God, German bastard, fuck me.”

A second, shorter video is attached, emphasizing the importance of not sharing the first clip.

Coote has been a Select One referee, the highest level in the UK, since the 2018/19 season, having officiated in his first Premier League game the previous season.

He has officiated six Premier League games this season, most recently as a referee in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.

PGMOL and Liverpool have been contacted for comment.

What is Liverpool’s background with Coote?

By Liverpool correspondent James Pearce

Liverpool have had a number of high-profile encounters with Coote in recent years.

Going back to last December, Jurgen Klopp was outraged that Coote, who was acting as video assistant referee, had not advised referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the pitch monitor after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard handled the ball in the penalty area.

The decisive duel between two Premier League title rivals ended 1-1 at Anfield.

Klopp said: “I’m pretty sure someone will come and explain to me why it wasn’t handball, but I don’t know how?”

Referee boss Howard Webb subsequently admitted that Coote had made a mistake and that the penalty should have been awarded.

Webb told Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up: “All the feedback we got afterwards was very clear – the game expects a penalty in this situation and I would agree with that. “Here we are on this one The right result was not achieved on this basis.”

Coote also acted as VAR when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford allowed a tackle on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to go unpunished in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020.

Van Dijk suffered a torn cruciate ligament and was sidelined for nine months. Klopp was baffled as to why Coote did not urge referee Michael Oliver to take action against Pickford after watching the replays.

(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)