David Coote has reportedly accepted the video that appears to show him calling former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a 'German c***' is real.
It comes just hours after suggestions the official denied any wrongdoing, with tech experts said to have been deployed to examine the clip.
However, according to The Mirror, Coote is now believed to have taken accountability for the video but doesn't recall the incident taking place.
The video, which is believed to be several years old, was originally leaked via a social media user on Monday afternoon, with it allegedly showing Coote on a foul-mouthed rant directed towards Klopp and Liverpool.
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When asked about his opinion on a Reds match by the person recording, he said: "Liverpool were s***."
He's then quizzed on Klopp, to which he replies with: "C***. Absolute c***.
Adding: "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 then appears to pull up a photo of him standing next to Klopp while he was acting as a fourth official, before continuing his spat: "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 be careful right, we're social distancing, we're two metres apart. But my God, German c***. F*** me."
PGMOL reacted quickly, suspending Coote and promising an investigation into the incident.
A statement from the body in charge of English refereeing read: "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 English FA have revealed via a spokesperson they're also investigating Coote.
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Coote and Liverpool have had history in the past, with the official on VAR duty when Jordan Pickford's tackle injured Virgil van Dijk during a Merseyside derby in 2020.
Liverpool contacted PGMOL for an explanation as to why Pickford wasn't punished, either in the game or retrospectively.
Earlier that year Coote had been on the end of some stern words from Andy Robertson, who confronted him following a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Burnley.
Television cameras picked up the X-rated outburst from Robertson, who said: “How’s that not a penalty is a disgrace. How the f*** is that not a penalty? You didn’t see f****** anything.
"You didn’t see anything the whole game apart from f****** booking them in the last minute. F*** me. What’s the point in having you in the middle? What’s the point in having you? F*** me. Honestly."
