Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after a video surfaced on social media, allegedly showing him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and former manager Jürgen Klopp. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed the suspension on Monday, pending an investigation.
In the unverified footage, Coote, 42, is reportedly heard calling Klopp “arrogant” and claiming the manager had accused him of lying after a 2020 Liverpool-Burnley game. Klopp had publicly criticized Coote’s officiating in previous matches, including a 1-1 draw with Burnley and a Liverpool-Arsenal match last season, where Coote was the VAR.
PGMOL stated that no further comments would be made until the investigation is complete. Liverpool FC has been informed of the video but declined to comment.
Coote, who has officiated in the Premier League since 2018, was involved in several high-profile incidents, including the 2020 Merseyside derby, where his failure to recommend a red card for Everton’s Jordan Pickford sparked controversy.
Jürgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool earlier this year marked the end of a successful era for the club.
