PGMOL chief Howard Webb speaks out on David Coote suspension following leaked video controversy
The video allegedly shows a man with a striking similarity to David Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
Howard Webb, the chief of The Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), has spoken out about the controversial video allegedly featuring Premier League referee David Coote.
On the show Mic'd Up, where Webb reviews contentious refereeing decisions, he confirmed that PGMOL is treating the matter with utmost seriousness.
Both PGMOL and the Football Association have initiated separate probes into the footage, which shows a man making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp. Amidst the ongoing investigations, Coote has been suspended.
READ MORE: PGMOL release new statement on David Coote after alleged Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp rant
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The video captures a man insulting Liverpool as "s***" and labelling Jurgen Klopp a "German c***", while at one point displaying a photo on a mobile phone that appears to depict Klopp, James Milner, and a fourth official wearing a mask. The content of the recording suggests it may have been recorded during a lockdown period.
Addressing the issue, Webb stated: "We became aware of a video that's been circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously. We've instigated a full investigation."
"One of our referees David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of that investigation. And there's not much more I can say at this stage until we work through that investigation."
Coote was the referee for Liverpool's recent 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday evening. He has officiated eight matches involving Liverpool, with a 15-month interval between his first game in July 2020 and his second in October 2021.
Coote was in the middle when Manchester United saw VAR Michael Oliver recommend a stoppage-time penalty to West Ham during last month's 2-1 defeat. He last officiated a Manchester City match last December, a 2-0 win for the Blues over Sheffield United.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has revealed he reached out to Coote following the emergence of controversial video footage. Speaking to Sky Sports, Dean said: "I texted him yesterday - he's still a colleague in a way - just to see how he was.
"And he replied with a message that I wouldn't disclose to anybody. But he’ll be devastated today, like most of the referees will be devastated that somebody has actually gone and done this video."
Dean added: "I don't think he's damaged his career beyond repair... I'd like to think they [PGMOL] can come to some agreement and it also depends on what's gone on with David. With all this media attention, would David want to still carry on refereeing?
"That's the bigger picture you have got to think of. It doesn't just affect David but his friends and his family as well. So does he want to put himself through it yet again?
"And obviously it will hard to come back and start his refereeing career again whether it's in the Championship to start with then get back into the Premier League. It will be a hard step for him to come back."