David Coote: English Premier League referee suspended after controversial video goes viral

CNN
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English Premier League (EPL) referee David Coote has been suspended pending an investigation after a video went viral on social media apparently showing him making negative comments about Liverpool and the club's former manager Jurgen Klopp , gives.

The video, which has not been verified by CNN, was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday.

It is not clear who filmed the clip, which appears to show Coote, one of England's most experienced referees, making disparaging comments about Klopp and a previous Liverpool performance alongside another unidentified man.

When asked about the content of the video, the PGMOL referee body, which represents match officials in England, told CNN that Coote had been “suspended with immediate effect” pending a full investigation.

It added: “PGMOL will have no further comment until this process is complete.”

CNN has also reached out to PGMOL for comment on behalf of Coote, who has not publicly commented on the incident.

Coote has officiated in the EPL since 2018 and in that time has officiated some of the biggest games in English football.

Most recently he was a referee Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

The viral video appears to show Coote talking about a game between Liverpool and Burnley in 2020 that ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp, who left Liverpool at the end of last season, had criticized Coote's decision-making during the game.

In the video, Coote appears to use swear words to describe Klopp while calling the former manager “arrogant”.

Coote has been involved in the officiating of several Liverpool games in recent seasons, either as an on-field referee or as a video assistant referee (VAR).

CNN has contacted Liverpool and the Premier League for comment.

The English Football Association (FA) told CNN it was also aware of the incident and was conducting an investigation.