Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after a video emerged on social media where he appeared to target Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool in a foul-mouthed tirade.
Coote, who was in charge of the Reds' 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday that left them five points clear at the top of the Premier League, is seemingly featured in an incendiary clip where he called the "f------ arrogant" and a "German c---".
Professional Games Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for refereeing in English football, issued a brief statement on Monday, November 11.
"David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete," the statement read.
It should be noted that it is possible the video could have been made using artificial intelligence and be a so-called "deepfake".
If not, then the career-threatening stupidity on display from Coote is frankly breathtaking and could have wide-reaching ramifications.
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The footage in the clip -- which seemingly dates from around the time football in England was still being played under coronavirus restrictions due to references made by Coote and his companion on screen -- has not been independently verified and could be a deepfake.
However, it warrants investigation primarily on account of the neutrality all Premier League referees are required to uphold.
"What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?" Coote is asked before replying: "Liverpool were s---."
"What do you think of Jurgen Klopp?" is the follow-up enquiry of the man filming the exchange on a mobile device.
"C---. Absolute c---," is Coote's response.
"Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley during lockdown (pictured below), he accused me of lying and then just had a right f------ pop at me.
"I've not interest in speaking to someone who's f------ arrogant.
"I do my best not to speak to him. Milner's alright, I get on with [fomer Liverpool player James Milner].
Coote then shows a mobile phone screen with an image of himself and Klopp on it. In the image he is wearing a face mask and then seemingly mocks coronavirus social distancing rules.
Coote added: "My God, German c---. F--- me." His companion then remarks "Liverpool are all f------ b---ends and we hate Scousers."
A second, shorter video features Coote saying: "Just to be clear, that f------ last video can't go anywhere, seriously.
The second man adds: "He's a Premier League referee, let's not f------ ruin his career."