Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended immediately, pending a thorough investigation by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL).
Coote’s suspension follows the circulation of a video that allegedly shows him using offensive language about Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp. PGMOL released a statement confirming there will be “no further comment” until the investigation is concluded.
However, the video’s authenticity has not yet been confirmed, and there is a chance it may have been created using artificial intelligence or deepfake technology.
If verified as genuine, the incident could likely end the 42-year-old’s refereeing career. It is also unclear, if real, when the video was recorded. Coote has officiated Liverpool games multiple times over the years, including their recent win over Aston Villa.
In the video widely shared on social media on Monday afternoon, Coote is alleged to have said: “Liverpool were s**t”, as well as describing Klopp as an “absolute c***”.
It could be heard: “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 at me.
“I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f***ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. My god, German c***, f*** me.”
The other man in the video finishes the video by saying: “Long story short, Jürgen Klopp’s a c****, Liverpool are all f***ing bellends and we hate Scousers.”
Coote joined the EFL officiating pool in 2010 and was promoted to the Premier League referee group in 2018. His most notable assignment so far was officiating the 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley.
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