UEFA take David Coote action after referee appeared to condemn Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool in leaked video
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Premier League referee David Coote has been removed from UEFA's match list following a controversial video appearing to show him making offensive remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The official, who was due to work at a UEFA Nations League fixture during the current international break, has been suspended with immediate effect.
The decision by European football's governing body follows similar action taken by the PGMOL, who have launched an investigation into the footage that emerged on Monday.
In the footage, a man that seems to be Coote is seen with a friend making derogatory comments about the former Liverpool manager.
David Coote: UEFA have taken the Premier League referee off their match list
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The referee is captured calling Klopp an 'arrogant c***' and a 'German c***' whilst dismissing Liverpool as "s***'.
The footage, which is believed to be several years old, has raised serious concerns about the official's impartiality.
Coote's history with Klopp dates back to July 2020, when the two clashed following a Liverpool-Burnley match at Anfield during the COVID-extended season.
The referee was criticised for being too lenient during the match.
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Premier League referee David Coote has allegedly called Jurgen Klopp a 'c**t' in a video on social mediaPAAt the time, Klopp commented: "The referee let lots of challenges go."
The Nottinghamshire official's career now hangs in the balance, as his recorded comments about Liverpool and Klopp could be viewed as evidence of bias against the Anfield club.
Coote has been involved in several controversial VAR decisions affecting Liverpool over recent seasons.
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David Coote is battling to save his job after a leaked video emerged appearing to show him criticising Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool
PAIn 2019, he declined to intervene when Divock Origi appeared to be fouled in the build-up to a Marcus Rashford goal during a match against Manchester United.
As VAR official at Stockley Park, he made no intervention when Jordan Pickford's challenge ruptured Virgil van Dijk's ACL in October 2020, with Liverpool not even awarded a penalty.
More recently, he denied Liverpool a penalty last season despite what many fans felt was a handball by Martin Odegaard.
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The PGMOL released a statement on Monday saying: "David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation."
They added they would be "making no further comment until that process is complete."
The dual suspensions from both UEFA and PGMOL leave Coote's future as a top-flight official in serious doubt.
The Premier League referee, who has been officiating in the top division since 2018, now awaits the outcome of the investigation.
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