David Coote has been suspended by the PGMOL with immediate effect pending the outcome of an investigation into an alleged video of the Premier League official.
The PGMOL has launched the investigation after alleged footage of Premier League referee Coote making disparaging comments towards Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp surfaced online.
"David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete," read a PGMOL statement.
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The video, which appears to show the 42-year-old on a sofa with an unknown individual, began to do the rounds on social media on Monday, with Coote insulting ex Liverpool boss Klopp, calling him a "German c***" and labeling the 57-year-old f***ing arrogant", while also describing Liverpool as "s***" in a game at Anfield where he was "recently" fourth official.
After being asked what he thought about Liverpool in the game, Coote replied: "Liverpool were s****. [Klopp is a] c***, absolute ****. Aside from having a right pop at me when I was refereeing them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying and then had a right f***ing pop of me.
"I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f***ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is all right, I get on with him. You can see me there with a ‘mask’ on. But, my god, German c***, f*** me."
A photo is shown of Coote wearing a mask while stood alongside both Milner and Klopp.
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In the second video shared, the man claimed to be Coote said: "Just to be clear, that f***ing last video cannot go anywhere, seriously."
The other man followed up, stating: "He's a Premier League referee, let's not ruin his career."
Though no public statement from Coote has been released, The Mirror first reported that the official "vehemently denies inappropriate conduct" and told the PGMOL that the video is "not genuine".
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At the time there was no confirmation that Coote is the man in the video and it was suggested that the clip could be a deep-fake or made using artificial intelligence, with the PGMOL using technology experts to analyse the footage.
However, an update from Darren Lewis of The Mirror states that Coote has since accepted the video is indeed legitimate but he does not recall the content of the discussion filmed several years ago.
Coote has been part of the Premier League's Select Group since 2018 when he was promoted. He took charge of the Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle in 2023 and incidentally was the man in the middle for Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend.
Topics: Premier League, PGMOL, Video, Liverpool
Josh Lawless