A Premier League match official has been suspended following the circulation of a video in which he is allegedly seen making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
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The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed that David Coote's suspension is immediate and pending a full investigation into the matter.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, has not been verified by the BBC, and it remains unclear when it was filmed or whether it is authentic.
A BBC source has since confirmed that PGMOL's inquiry is treating the video as genuine. The 42-year-old Coote officiated Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, and he is one of the Premier League's most experienced referees, having been in charge of top-flight matches since 2018.
The footage in question appears to reference a Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley that Coote refereed in July 2020, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp was vocal in his criticism of Coote following that game, accusing the referee of failing to penalise challenges on his players.
In the controversial video, the man believed to be Coote says: "Klopp had a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown." He goes on to describe Klopp as "arrogant" and uses several expletives in reference to the German manager.
The video, which is just over a minute long, features Coote with another man, and the circumstances surrounding how the footage was made public remain unclear.
PGMOL has stated that it will not be making any further comment until the investigation is concluded.
Sources close to the matter have also revealed that Liverpool are aware of the video but are yet to make an official statement.
Speaking to BBC Sport on Monday, English Football League (EFL) chairman Rick Parry commented: "PGMOL is dealing with it – they have suspended him – they've acted quickly and they will make sure they deal with it thoroughly and professionally."
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Under the rules, referees are required to disclose the club they support, and Coote, who hails from Nottingham, is registered as a Notts County supporter. As a result, he is prohibited from officiating matches involving either Notts County or Nottingham Forest.
