PGMOL suspends referee Coote after video shows he abused Liverpool and Klopp

:Premier League referee David Coote was suspended on Monday by the PGMOL refereeing body pending a full investigation after a video circulated on social media showing the referee allegedly abusing Liverpool and former manager Juergen Klopp.

The video allegedly shows Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and German Klopp, who left Anfield in May.

The video has not been verified by Reuters, and it is unclear when it was shot or its authenticity.

“David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will make no further comment until that process is complete,” PGMOL said.

Liverpool is aware of the video which has been widely circulated on social media, but the club would not comment in light of the investigation by PGMOL.

The 42-year-old Coote refereed Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday. He has been a match official in the Premier League since 2018.

The video appears to refer to a league match Coote refereed between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp publicly criticized Coote after the match, accusing him of failing to punish the tackles on Liverpool players.