PGMOL chiefs believe that under-fire referee David Coote will quit before he gets sacked, according to reports.
The Premier League official is under investigation after a video circulated appearing to show him calling former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a 'German c***'. Coote was suspended with immediate effect on Monday and he could be about to lose his job, which reportedly pays him at least £100,000 a year.
The 42-year-old was removed from UEFA's matchlist, having been scheduled to officiate a Nations League game during the current international break, and his part-time role at FIFA is also being revised.
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According to The Sun, Coote stands to lose more than £1million in foregone income over a period of years. And he reportedly has little chance of bagging a lesser role with the PGMOL once his refereeing duties have been stripped.
The fact Coote is alleged to have use Klopp's nationality in a disparaging context has opened him up to an FA investigation and a possible aggravated misconduct charge for breaching their rules on discrimination.
The viral video, taken several years ago, appears to show Coote discussing the match between Liverpool and Burnley in 2020, for which he was the fourth official. "[Klopp] accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me," he said.
"I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f***ing arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him. You can see me there with a mask on. Social distancing — 10 metres apart. But my God, German c***, f*** me."
PGMOL chief Howard Webb broke his silence on the fiasco on Tuesday night, saying: "We became aware of a video that was circulating on social media. We've launched an investigation. One of our referees David Coote was suspended pending the outcome of that investigation. I can't say much more than that."
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Coote spent eight years refereeing EFL games before graduating to Premier League matches in 2018. His last outing came at Anfield on Saturday night, where Liverpool hosted Aston Villa.
Despite the Reds winning the game 2-0 and all three of the match's bookings going to Villa players, it is doubtful Coote will be trusted to take charge of Liverpool fixtures in future. Prem chiefs may also struggle to justify putting Coote in to referee any of Liverpool's rivals, or matches involving German players, in light of his viral video storm.
