Referee David Coote suspended until further notice after video leak

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced the suspension of referee David Coote, effective immediately and until further notice. The decision was made public in a statement released on Monday evening, following a controversy involving Coote’s disparaging remarks about Liverpool Football Club.

The suspension was prompted by a leaked video in which Coote was heard making derogatory comments about Liverpool, referring to the club in offensive terms and also making unkind remarks about its former manager, Jürgen Klopp. The video sparked significant backlash and raised questions about Coote’s impartiality as an official.

PGMOL stated, “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.” This measure highlights PGMOL’s commitment to maintaining integrity and professionalism among match officials in English football.

Coote’s suspension comes after a particularly contentious encounter where he served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield in December 2023. The match itself was marred by controversy when Martin Odegaard appeared to commit a handball inside Arsenal’s penalty area, which could have allowed Mohamed Salah to advance toward the goal. The incident stirred significant debate among fans and analysts over Coote’s decision-making as VAR.

The suspension of Coote has reignited discussions about the conduct and accountability of referees within the Premier League. Fans and football pundits alike have expressed varying opinions on social media, some calling for stricter oversight of match officials to prevent bias or misconduct.

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PGMOL has not disclosed further details about the investigation or a potential timeline for its conclusion. The outcome of the investigation is expected to set an important precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, reinforcing the standards expected from match officials at the highest levels of professional football.