Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended by officiating body the PGMOL while it investigates a social media video appearing to show him using profanities to describe Liverpool and former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
Coote appears to insult Klopp and the club with bad language, although it remains unclear whether the video is genuine or when it was recorded.
In the video, Coote appears to call Klopp “arrogant” and accuse the German of “having a right pop”, adding that he has “no interest in speaking” to him.
“So I do my best not to speak to him,” the video continues. “[Former Liverpool player James] Milner is all right – I get on with him.”
Warning: Video contains swearing
Recorded footage of David Coote calling Liverpool “sh*t” and Jurgen Klopp a “c*nt”.
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) November 11, 2024
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David Coote video
In a second video, a man appears to warn that the clip “cannot go anywhere – seriously.”
Coote was the referee for Liverpool’s 1-1 home draw against Burnley in July 2020 and 2-1 home win over Brighton and Hove Albion in March 2024.
A PGMOL statement said: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
Coote referee record
Coote has overseen six Premier League matches and two other games this season, with his most recent responsibility coming at Anfield when Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday.
That is likely to have been the last match Coote would have been required to run the rule over for at least two weeks because of this week’s international break.
Coote was part of Championship and Carabao Cup matches before his first Premier League assignment of the campaign but has only worked in the top division since then.
BREAKING: The PGMOL have confirmed that David Coote has been suspended pending full investigation pic.twitter.com/e2ubZy8113
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 11, 2024
David Coote career
The Nottinghamshire referee has officiated almost 500 professional games, ranging from non-league to international fixtures.
His first top-flight game was in 2018 and he is one of 20 members of the PGMOL’s Select Group 1 of professional referees.
The 42-year-old was appointed for 36 Premier League games last season and was in the middle for the 2022/23 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle.
Rotherham United’s League One play-off final win over Leyton Orient in 2014 was his first match at Wembley Stadium.
