David Coote SACKED after Liverpool comments as PGMOL make statement

The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) have announced that David Coote has been sacked with immediate effect after a controversial video emerged last month where he appeared to abuse former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

The footage, which emerged on social media on November 11, appeared to show Coote calling Liverpool "s**t" and former Reds boss Klopp a "c**t". The video surfaced online just two days after Coote had taken charge of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa, when the Reds won 2-0 to go five points clear at the top of the table heading into last month's international break.

In a video that was purported to be filmed during the lockdown period of 2020, the referee was asked by another man what he made of a Liverpool game where he worked as the fourth official. A photo shown later in the video on Coote's phone suggests it was the 7-2 Premier League loss at Aston Villa in October of that year.

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Coote was subsequently suspended pending an investigation before a slew of other allegations emerged in the week in national newspapers. Later that week, the Football Association (FA) launched an investigation into allegations that Mr Coote discussed giving a yellow card ahead of a match, which was something the referee denied.

In the footage, Coote labels Klopp "a German c***" and "f******* arrogant" before imploring that the video not be shared or distributed elsewhere. The 42-year-old later released a statement disputing the newspaper allegations but chose not to address the offensive remarks about Klopp, who stepped down after nearly nine years at Anfield in May.

A statement, released on Monday afternoon which confirmed the official's right to appeal, read: "Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.

"David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable. Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare. David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment."