Referee David Coote suspended over apparent video of foul-mouthed Klopp rant | Liverpool

Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after video footage emerged which appeared to show him calling Jurgen Klopp a “German cunt” and Liverpool a “shit”.

According to the clip, which surfaced on social media on Monday, Coote claimed Klopp was “arrogant” and 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 over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Professional Game Match Officials Ltd said: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will have no further comment until this process is complete.”

Asked by a friend for his opinion on Klopp, the person said to be Coote says: “Apart from the fact that he came at me really harshly when I threw them against Burnley in lockdown, he then accused me of lying and has then just made a damn good comment” at me. I have no interest in talking to someone who is arrogant as hell. So I do my best not to talk to him… My God, German cunt, fuck me.” The derogatory comment about Liverpool refers to the team's performance in a game where Coote was the fourth official.

The friend, who appears to be recording the conversation on his cell phone in a sparsely decorated living room, goes on to explain what he thinks the conclusion of the conversation is: “Long story short: Jürgen Klopp is an asshole, Liverpool is all a fucking idiot and We hate Scousers.”

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