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

English Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending investigation after a video surfaced on social media, seemingly showing him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and the club’s former manager, Jürgen Klopp. The video, which quickly went viral, was posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday and has raised serious questions regarding Coote’s conduct.

The clip, which has not been independently verified by CNN, appears to show Coote making derogatory comments about Klopp and a previous Liverpool performance. It is not clear who filmed the video, which reportedly shows Coote speaking with another unidentified individual about a 2020 match between Liverpool and Burnley that ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp had been openly critical of Coote’s officiating during that game, with the Liverpool manager claiming that certain decisions during the match were “unfair.”

In the video, Coote allegedly uses expletives to describe Klopp, referring to the former Liverpool boss as “arrogant” and making other unprofessional comments about the manager’s behavior. The content of the video has raised significant concerns given Coote’s prominent position as one of the most experienced referees in the Premier League.

In response to the viral video, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for refereeing in England, announced that Coote had been suspended with immediate effect while a full investigation is conducted. A statement from PGMOL read: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will make no further comment until that process is complete.” As of now, Coote has not issued a public statement regarding the video.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (right) has previously criticized Coote (center). Oli Scarff/NMC Pool/PA

David Coote has been officiating in the Premier League since 2018 and has refereed numerous high-profile matches. His most recent assignment was officiating Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, just days before the video surfaced. Given Coote’s experience, his actions in the video have raised questions about his impartiality and professionalism, particularly when officiating matches involving teams he may have personal biases toward.

The viral clip appears to be referencing a highly controversial match from 2020 between Liverpool and Burnley, a game in which Klopp voiced his frustrations with Coote’s decision-making. During that match, a series of decisions, including a controversial penalty shout and a disallowed goal, led Klopp to publicly criticize the officiating, with the Liverpool manager saying the decisions “cost us the game.” The video now seems to show Coote responding to these criticisms with derogatory remarks about Klopp’s character, which has drawn widespread condemnation from fans and commentators alike.

Coote has officiated several Liverpool games in recent years, both as the on-field referee and as the video assistant referee (VAR). His role in the controversial 2020 Burnley match, as well as other high-stakes encounters involving Liverpool, has made this incident particularly sensitive. Given Coote’s key role in the officiating community, the controversy has raised broader concerns about referee impartiality and professionalism, especially as social media continues to increase scrutiny on referees.

The Premier League and Liverpool FC have been approached for comment on the matter, though no statement has been released as of yet. The English Football Association (FA) has also acknowledged the incident and confirmed that an investigation is underway. The FA’s involvement adds another layer of oversight to the ongoing inquiry, ensuring that any findings will be examined at the highest level.

This suspension and investigation mark the latest chapter in a string of controversies surrounding refereeing in English football, where scrutiny of officials has increased significantly in recent years. Social media, in particular, has amplified the accountability of referees, making it difficult for any unprofessional conduct to go unnoticed.

While Coote’s suspension will likely continue to dominate the headlines, the outcome of the investigation could have broader implications for how referees are held accountable for their behavior, both on and off the field. As the investigation unfolds, football fans and pundits alike will be closely watching for any developments in what has already become a highly contentious situation.

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