Referee David Coote suspended for derogatory comment about Jurgen Klopp captured on video

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Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending a full investigation after a video emerged of him appearing to call Liverpool ‘s**t’ and former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp an ‘absolute c**t’.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited have confirmed in a statement: ‘David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.’

The leaked clip appears to show the 42-year-old being asked what he thought about a Liverpool game in which he was fourth official, with Coote saying: ‘Liverpool were s**t.’

It is not known when the clip was recorded but it does make reference to a 2020 Premier League game between Klopp’s side and Burnley.

Asked what he thinks of Jurgen Klopp, he replies: ‘C**t. Absolute c**t.’

The referee continued: ‘Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right f****g pop at me.

‘I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f*****g arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. Milner’s alright. Get on with Milner.

‘Buy my God. German c**t. F**k me.’

In a second clip, Coote says: ‘Just to be clear that f***ing last video can’t go anywhere, seriously.’

It has since been confirmed that PGMOL are investigating following the emergence of the video.

The match mentioned in the video finished 1-1 between Liverpool and Burnley at Anfield, after which Klopp told BT Sport: ‘The referee let lots of challenges go so it was clear that if the ball comes into the box it was dangerous.’

There was also controversy as Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson felt he deserved a penalty late in the game and his angry protests at Coote were heard by the broadcasters, BT Sport.

‘How that’s not a penalty on me… What’s the point in having it (VAR)? What is the point in having you?’ Robertson said to the referee.

‘Wait until you see it. Wait until you go in and see that and you’ll go, ‘How the f*** is that not a penalty?

‘Yous didn’t see f***ing anything. Yous didn’t see anything the whole game apart from f***ing booking him in the last minute.

‘F*** me. What’s the point of having yous in the middle? What’s the point of having you? Eh? F**** me, honestly.’

Coote has been refereeing in the Premier League since 2018 and took charge of the Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle in 2023.