Referee David Coote suspended over apparent video of foul ...

10 days ago
David Coote

Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after video footage emerged apparently showing him calling Jürgen Klopp a “German c**t” and Liverpool “shit”.

According to the clip that surfaced on social media on Monday, Coote claimed that Klopp was “arrogant” and had accused him of lying after a match between Liverpool and Burnley during Project Restart in 2020. Coote took charge of Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) 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.”

Asked by a friend for his opinion of Klopp, the person alleged to be Coote says: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right f**king pop at me. I’ve got no interest at speaking to someone who’s f**king arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him ... My God, German c**t, f**k me.” The derogatory remark about Liverpool refers to the team’s performance in a game at which Coote was the fourth official.

The friend, who appears to be recording the conversation on his phone in a sparsely decorated sittingroom, goes on to clarify what he feels to be the takeaway from the conversation: “Long story short: Jürgen Klopp’s a c**t, Liverpool are all f**king bellends and we hate Scousers.”

In a separate video, Coote appears to ask viewers not to share the original recording. “Just to be clear, that last video can’t go anywhere, seriously,” he says. The friend says: “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad.” – Guardian

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