Premier League referee David Coote suspended for Jurgen Klopp comments

Nov. 11 (UPI) - Premier League reference David Coote is suspended indefinitely after videos surfaced that appeared to show him criticizing former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, officials announced Monday.

"David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation," Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. said in a statement.

"PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."

A spokesman from the Football Association said England's governing body for soccer is "aware of the matter and investigating it." Liverpool did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

The footage, which remains on social media , appears to show Coote using obscenities to describe Klopp. He also made disparaging remarks about Liverpool.

"He accused me of lying and then just had a right [expletive] pop at me," Coote appears to say in one of the videos. I've got no interest in speaking to someone who's [expletive] arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him."

Another video appeared to show Coote saying that the first video should not be shared.

Coote, 42, refereed six Premier League matches this season, including Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday at Anfield in Liverpool, England. He started his Premier League refereeing tenure in 2018.

Klopp stepped down from his role at Liverpool at the end of last season. Last month, Klopp signed up to serve as the head of global football at Red Bull. He will start that role in January.

Liverpool (9-1-1) sits atop the Premier League standings. The Reds will play Southampton (1-7-9) - the last place team in the standings - at 9 a.m. EST Nov. 24 in Southampton.