David Coote Jurgen KloppGetty

PGMOL faces David Coote video storm! Premier League referee suspended amid investigation into footage allegedly showing him calling Liverpool 'sh*t' and labelling ex-manager Jurgen Klopp a 'German c*nt'

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Video circulating of top-flight official
  • Critical comments made by referee
  • PGMOL looking into the matter
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Professional Game Match Officials Limited, who are responsible for the officiating of games across English football, are said to be aware of the footage that has been circulating on social media – with the matter now being looked into. Coote has since been suspended by PGMOL.

  • Advertisement
  • Jurgen Klopp West Ham Liverpool Premier League 2023-24Getty

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The video in question appears to show Coote branding Liverpool "sh*t", shortly after filling the role of fourth official in one of their games, before going on to call ex-Reds manager Klopp a "c*nt". A statement from PGMOL reads: “PGMOL are aware of a video circulating on social media and are investigating.”

    Later, another statement confirmed: "David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Nottinghamshire native Coote has been a Premier League referee since April 2018 and was in top-flight action as recently as Saturday, when he oversaw events at Anfield in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa – as the Merseyside outfit pulled five points clear at the Premier League summit.

  • David CooteGetty

    WHAT NEXT?

    It is unclear when the video in question was filmed, or whether it is real or an AI deepfake. Coote has, however, incurred Klopp’s wrath – and that of Liverpool supporters in general – on a regular basis down the years and a number of big decisions that he has made in games involving the Reds are now being dissected by social media users.