EPL Referee Suspended After Insulting Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp
Source: The Vocket
David Coote, an English Premier League (EPL) referee, has been temporarily suspended following the release of a video where he insults Liverpool and its former manager, Jürgen Klopp. The incident has sparked outrage, leading to an immediate suspension while an investigation is underway.
Coote, who officiated Liverpool’s recent 2-0 win over Aston Villa, was filmed making derogatory remarks about Klopp. In the video, he refers to the German coach as a “German bastard” and criticizes him as an “arrogant” manager. These comments, which were caught on camera, have caused a stir among fans and raised questions about the professionalism of referees.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the organization that oversees EPL referees, has responded swiftly. A statement was issued confirming that Coote had been suspended pending a full investigation into the matter. “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will not comment further until the process is concluded,” the statement read.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and there are speculations that the video may have been manipulated, possibly using artificial intelligence, or that Coote could have been intoxicated and semi-conscious at the time of the comments.
In the footage, Coote recalls one of his past officiating experiences, particularly the controversial 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Burnley in 2020. During that match, Liverpool dropped points at home for the first time that season. The video highlights a moment where Liverpool’s Andy Robertson was visibly frustrated and directed foul language at Coote after a penalty was not awarded for a foul on him.
Coote, who has been officiating in the Premier League since 2018, has had several encounters with Klopp, including an incident in a December 2022 clash between Arsenal and Liverpool. Klopp had criticized Coote and other officials after his team was denied a penalty, even though the ball had clearly struck Martin Ødegaard inside the penalty area. This latest incident adds fuel to the fire of their ongoing tension.
