Howard Webb breaks silence on leaked David Coote Liverpool video as ref suspended

Howard Webb has spoken out after the leaked video involving David Coote (Image: Sky Sports)

Howard Webb has broken his silence over video footage purportedly involving David Coote after the Premier League referee was suspended from duty.

Just over 24 hours ago on Monday, top-flight referee Coote was suspended by PGMOL pending an investigation into video footage appearing to show the 42-year-old using foul language to describe Liverpool and their former boss Jurgen Klopp.

In the leaked video footage which lasts around two minutes in total, Coote appeared to call the Reds "s***" and Klopp a c***".

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Webb, who is technical director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), made his regular appearance on Sky Sports' Match Officials Mic'd Up show alongside presenter Leon Osman to discuss refereeing decisions.

During Tuesday evening's broadcast, PGMOL chief Webb chose to address Coote's suspension immediately after the programme had started before they reviewed incidents from the weekend's action.

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He began by making a statement, in which he said: "We were made aware there's a video being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously.

David Coote was in charge of Liverpool's game with Aston Villa (Image: Getty)

"We've instigated a full investigation, our referee David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.

"There's not much more I can say at this stage until we've worked through that investigation."

Coote has reportedly accepted the footage of him is genuine, which was recorded back in 2020, but it's understood he does not recall the content of the discussion. He is also facing an investigation from the Football Association over his alleged use of the term "German c***" to describe Klopp.

Every word David Coote allegedly said about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp

In the video footage, a man sitting next to Coote asks for his opinion on Liverpool. The referee appears to say the following:

Coote: "Erm, Liverpool were s***."

Male:"What do you think of Jurgen Klopp?"

Coote:"Klopp's a c***, an absolute c***. Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying then had a right f****** pop at me.

Coote: "I've got no interest in speaking to someone who's f****** arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. James Milner's alright. You can see me there [in a picture on his phone] with a mask on. Got to careful right, we're social distancing, we're two metres apart. But my God, German c***. F*** me."

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David Coote officiated Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday (Image: Getty)

Following his suspension from PGMOL, UEFA have also acted swiftly to drop Coote from his scheduled assignment to officiate a Nations League fixture.

Coote had recently taken the role of VAR official for the Champions League clash between PSV Eindhoven and Girona. But the Nottinghamshire official now faces being kept off the field until the investigation into his alleged comments is concluded.

His last fixture on the pitch came as recently as Saturday when Coote was appointed to oversee Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa. The official has overseen professional games in England since 2014 and became a top-flight referee four years later.

Howard Webb breaks silence on leaked David Coote Liverpool video as ref suspended

Howard Webb breaks silence on leaked David Coote Liverpool video as ref suspended

Howard Webb breaks silence on leaked David Coote Liverpool video as ref suspended

Howard Webb breaks silence on leaked David Coote Liverpool video as ref suspended

Howard Webb breaks silence on leaked David Coote Liverpool video as ref suspended