Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending a full investigation after a video circulated on social media in which he appeared to make disparaging comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.

Two clips have been posted on an account on

The English Football Association (FA) has said it is “aware of the matter” and is conducting its own investigation.

If the video is verified to be authentic, Coote – who refereed Liverpool’s 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Saturday – appears to have no future as a top referee. There will be no further update from PGMOL, the refereeing body for English football, until the investigation is complete, but Coote will not be available for selection as a referee or VAR during this time.

Coote, 42, has been a Premier League referee since 2018 and was in charge of the 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle. Between 2020 and 2022 he was a FIFA official.

Although not on the UEFA list as a referee, he was, along with Stuart Attwell, a leading VAR and was appointed to the 2024 European Championship.

It is unclear when the video was recorded, but there are references to Coote being the fourth official at a Liverpool match earlier in the day and to COVID social distancing.

When asked about Liverpool’s performance in the match, Coote replied: “Liverpool were s—.”

The referee is then asked about Klopp, to which he replies: “C—, absolute c—.”

Asked why he holds this view, Coote added: “Apart from taking a hard swipe at me when I was denied against Burnley during lockdown, he then accused me of lying and then just took a punch to me. And I I have no interest in talking to someone who is so damn arrogant. So I try my best not to talk to him.”

Coote secured a 1-1 draw for Liverpool at home to Burnley in July 2020

Suggesting the video was filmed during lockdown, Coote then shows a photo of him in a mask on the touchline during a Liverpool match, saying: ‘You can see me there with (a) mask on. COVID, gotta be done. Social distancing, right?

Coote then adds an obvious reference to Klopp: “But oh my god. German c—. F— me.”

The person sitting next to Coote then said: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp is a c—, Liverpool are all f***ing bellends, and we hate Scousers.”

In the second, shorter video, Coote says, “Just to be clear, that damn last video isn’t going anywhere, seriously.”

The other person then replies: “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not ruin his career. Let’s face it, we’re good guys, but we can’t ruin a guy’s career, we’re not that bad.” He’s a fucking legend too, so let’s not ruin his career.”