Premier League official David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect after footage emerged on social media showing him making foul-mouthed criticism of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Two videos have been shared which allegedly capture Coote, 42, calling Klopp ‘bloody arrogant’ and a ‘German bastard’.

It is currently unclear whether the footage is legitimate and when it was recorded, but the content, which was widely circulated on Monday afternoon, is now the subject of an investigation by PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing in English football.

A statement from PGMOL read: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will make no further comment until that process is complete.”

In the first unverified video, which appears to have been filmed on a phone and spans one minute, Coote is asked for his opinion on an unspecified Liverpool match and then by manager Klopp.

About Liverpool he says “s***” before adding: “Apart from the fact he had a good blow at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown.

“He accused me of lying and then just punched me. I have no interest in talking to someone who is damn arrogant. I try my best not to talk to him. (James) Milner is doing well. I’ll continue with Milner.

“You can see me there with a mask on. Social distancing – 10 meters apart. But my God, German c***, fuck me.”

A second, shorter video is included that emphasizes the importance of not sharing the first clip.

Footage has emerged showing Coote criticizing Klopp (Phil Noble/Pool via Getty Images)

Coote has been a Select One referee, the highest level in Britain, since the 2018/19 season, having officiated his first Premier League match in the previous campaign.

He has officiated six Premier League matches this season, most recently as referee in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.

PGMOL and Liverpool have been contacted for comment.

What is Coote’s Liverpool background?

By Liverpool correspondent James Pearce

Liverpool have had a number of high-profile encounters with Coote in recent years.

Rewind to last December and Jurgen Klopp was outraged that Coote, who was on VAR duty, did not advise referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the pitch monitor after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard handled the ball in the penalty area.

The crucial clash between two Premier League title rivals ended 1-1 at Anfield.

Klopp said: “I’m pretty sure someone will come and explain to me why it wasn’t a handball, but I don’t know how?”

Referee chief Howard Webb then admitted that Coote had made a mistake and the penalty should have been awarded.

Webb told Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up: “All the feedback we got afterwards was very clear: the game expects a penalty in this situation and I agree with that. This is one where we have not achieved the right result on that basis.”

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.

Van Dijk tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and was sidelined for nine months. Klopp was perplexed why Coote did not urge referee Michael Oliver to take action against Pickford after watching the replays.

(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)