Premier League suspend referee over alleged video calling Jurgen Klopp a 'c***'

Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL).

It follows the emergence of a video which appears to show him using foul language regarding Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp. A PGMOL statement confirmed there will be "no further comment" on the matter until the investigation process is complete.

As yet, the video has not been verified as genuine, with the possibility it could have been created using artificial intelligence or deep-fake technologies.

If proven to be real, it would likely spell the end of Coote's refereeing career.

It is also not known, if genuine, when the video was recorded. But Coote has officiated at Liverpool matches on numerous occasions over the years, including Saturday's win over Aston Villa.

Premier League suspend referee David Coote

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, 42, has climbed the refereeing ladder over the last 25 years. He entered the EFL pool in 2010 and was promoted to the Premier League group of referees in 2018. His highest profile game to date was the 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley.

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