PGMOL suspends top Premier league referee with immediate effect

The refereeing body in England, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. (PGMOL), has suspended Premier League referee David Coote with immediate effect following a video that was released on social media.

The video which was circulated on X showed David Coote calling the former manager of Liverpool derogatory names following an incident that occurred between them in the past. According to reports, the match that was being referred to was a Premier League match that Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which finished 1-1.

Klopp criticised Coote after the match, saying the referee failed to give fouls for challenges made on Liverpool's players. However, PGMOL confirmed in a statement that the suspension comes into force with immediate effect and is pending a full investigation.

What club does David Coote support?

Coote is from Nottingham, is registered as a Notts County fan and is therefore unable to officiate County or Nottingham Forest matches.

What did PGMOL say about Coote?

David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete"

Liverpool have had some high-profile run-ins with David Coote in recent years. One of which was in December 2023, who was on VAR duty, didn’t advise referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the pitch side monitor after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard handled the ball inside the box.

Coote was also the VAR when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk went unpunished in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020. This saw the Dutchman rupture his ACL and was sidelined for nine months.

The 42-year-old refereed Liverpool's 2-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday. He has been refereeing matches in the top flight since 2018.

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