Premier League chiefs suspend David Coote after ref appears to call Liverpool 's**t' and insult Jurgen Klopp
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Premier League chiefs have defended David Coote after a video emerged appearing to show the referee calling Liverpool 's**t' and insulting Jurgen Klopp.
The video, which was uploaded on social media, seems to show the 42-year-old referring to Liverpool as a 's**t club'.
Coote then appears to use the word 'c**t' to describe Jurgen Klopp, who left the Reds back in the summer after a glittering eight-and-a-half year spell in charge.
A PGMOL spokesperson has now confirmed that they were investigating the footage.
Premier League chiefs are currently investigating a video of what appears to be referee David Coote branding Liverpool 's**t' and insulting Jurgen Klopp
PA
“PGMOL are aware of a video circulating on social media and are investigating," they said.
And Coote has now been suspended while they get to the bottom of the matter.
Coote previously angered Klopp during a Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal in December last year.
Referee Chris Kavanagh didn't award a penalty for the Reds when Martin Odegaard appeared to handle the ball in front of Mohamed Salah.
The game was not halted for a VAR check, with Coote deciding that Odegaard handled the ball while falling - instead of on purpose.
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Yet Klopp was left enraged by the decision, with the German saying: "Yes, I have seen it.
"I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don't know how?
"I don't say that the ref can see it because I don't know where he was in that moment.
"But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly it could be worth the referee having another look?"
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Coote's journey in football officiating began at the tender age of 16, where he first picked up the whistle as a referee.
His early career saw him officiating matches across various levels of English football, including the Notts Alliance League and the Northern Counties East Football League.
He continued his progression through the Northern Premier League and Conference North, building valuable experience at each level.
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Premier League referee David Coote has allegedly called Jurgen Klopp a 'c**t' in a video on social media
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His breakthrough came when he was appointed to the Football League list of referees as an assistant referee.
His first match as an assistant referee was a Football League Two fixture between Stockport County and Hereford United.
In 2010, Coote achieved promotion to the list of EFL referees, marking a significant step in his career.
David Coote's first Premier League match was in December 2018
PA
A major milestone came in May 2014 when he took charge of the League One play-off final between Leyton Orient and Rotherham United.
His Premier League debut arrived in April 2018, overseeing a match between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, which ended in a 1-0 victory for West Brom.
This performance helped pave the way for his next career advancement, as he was promoted to PGMOL's Select Group 1 of referees ahead of the 2018-19 season.
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