Howard Webb breaks silence on viral David Coote video insulting Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool
A video showing David Coote insulting Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool was leaked on Monday, with the PGMOL's chief refereeing officer Howard Webb now commenting on the bombshell clip
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorThe PGMOL's chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has broken his silence on the bombshell video of David Coote insulting former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Coote was allegedly filmed calling ex-Liverpool boss Klopp an “absolute c***”, and also referenced his nationality when he dropped another C-bomb, while he also slammed Liverpool as “s***” during a game that he had overseen.
The PGMOL have already suspended the 42-year-old pending an investigation, while Coote himself has claimed responsibility, despite not recalling the incident in question. The video is understood to have been filmed a few years ago and was never meant for publication.
The video appears to have been filmed the evening after a Liverpool game with the other man asking: "What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier?"
Coote allegedly responded by saying: "Liverpool were s***." The other man then asked: "What do you think of Jurgen Klopp?" To which Coote replied: "C***. Absolute c***. Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying then had a right f****** pop at me."
Referring to a second match in which he was acting as fourth official, he continued: "I've got no interest in speaking to someone who's f****** arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. James Milner's alright. You can see me there [in a picture on his phone] with a mask on. Got to careful right, we're social distancing, we're two metres apart. But my God, German c***. F*** me."
Coote was quickly suspended by the PGMOL, but the organisation declined to make any further statement. Chief refereeing officer Webb appeared on Match Officials Micc'd Up on Tuesday evening and opened the programme by making a short comment on the situation.
Webb said: "We became aware of a video that was circulating on social media. We've launched an investigation. One of our referees David Coote was suspended pending the outcomeone of that investigation. I can't say much more than that."
Coote has been a Premier League referee since 2018, having overseen EFL games for eight years before that. He had a number of run-ins with Klopp during the German's time as Liverpool boss.
The Burnley game referenced in the video, which ended in a controversial 1-1 draw, saw defender Andy Robertson launching a foul-mouthed rant at Coote that was picked by TV microphones after not being awarded a penalty.
Robertson had said: "How’s that not a penalty is a disgrace. How the f*** is that not a penalty? You didn’t see f****** anything. You didn’t see anything the whole game apart from f****** booking them in the last minute. F*** me. What’s the point in having you in the middle? What’s the point in having you? F*** me. Honestly."
The FA have also launched an investigation into Coote. In a statement, they said: “We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating.”
Coote last took charge of Liverpool on Saturday, when the Reds claimed a 2-0 win over Aston Villa. They are now five points clear of closest challengers Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
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