The Football Association (FA) has launched its own investigation after a video appeared to show Premier League referee David Coote criticising former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The PGMOL — the body responsible for officials in English football — suspended Coote with immediate effect on Monday after two videos were shared to social media that allegedly capture him calling Klopp a “German c***”.
The 42-year-old now also faces the prospect of potential action from the FA for using Klopp’s nationality in a disparaging context, which could breach the governing body’s rules on discrimination.
A FA spokesperson told The Athletic on Tuesday: “We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating it.”
The first video, seemingly filmed on a phone and spanning a minute, appears to show Coote and an unidentified man discussing a Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020.
Coote, who was fourth official for the fixture, called Liverpool’s performance “s***”, adding of Klopp: “He accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me.
“I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f***ing arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him.
“You can see me there with mask on. Social distancing — 10 metres apart. But my God, German c***, f*** me.”
Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager at the end of last season after nine years in charge at Anfield.
The club are yet to publicly comment on the footage or the PGMOL’s investigation.
Coote took charge of his first Premier League game in 2017-18 and was named a Select One referee, the highest level in the UK, for the following campaign.
His most recent game as a Premier League referee was in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend.
GO DEEPER
The David Coote videos have just made the debate around refereeing decisions so much more tedious
(James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
