'Taking it very seriously': PGMOL boss Howard Webb breaks silence on David Coote suspension

Howard Webb has emphasized that the PGMOL is taking referee David Coote's attack on Jurgen Klopp “very seriously”.

The 42-year-old man has been suspended by refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after a leaked video saw him tagging the formerLiverpool boss like a 'fucking German'.

In the clip, Coote, who has been a top-flight official since 2018, also referred to klopp like 'fucking arrogant'.

Both the PGMOL and the FA have launched their own investigations into the images.

Webb broke his silence over the shocking video during his appearance on Sky Sports' Mic'd Up on Tuesday night.

Referring to the minute-long viral clip, the PGMOL chief said: “We became aware of a video that was circulating on social media which we are taking very seriously.

“We have launched a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.

“There's not much more I can say at this point until we've worked through that investigation.”

In the video, Coote was pressed on his opinion of Klopp, to which he commented: “(Klopp is a) c***, absolute c***.

“Apart from punching me with my right hand when I was refereeing them against Burnley in the running of the bulls, he accused me of lying and then punched me with his forehand.

“I have no interest in talking to someone who is fucking arrogant. So I try my best not to talk to him.

“(James) Milner is fine, I get along with him. You can see me there with a 'mask' on. But my God, German, screw me.”

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talkSPORT understands Coote has accepted the video is genuine.

It is unclear why Coote exploded at Klopp, although he has been criticized by the former Borussia Dortmund boss while on VAR duty.

The clip, which circulated widely on social media on Monday, appears to reference a Premier League match Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which ended 1-1.

That match was the first time Liverpool had dropped points at Anfield all season, and the hosts believed they should have been awarded a penalty.

Klopp also indirectly criticized Coote when he was on VAR in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal last season, in which Martin Odegaard escaped giving away a penalty for touching the ball.

Klopp said of Coote's role: “How can a guy in an office look at that and not come to the conclusion that maybe it's worth the referee taking another look?”

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And in October 2020, the 42-year-old was the VAR official in the Merseyside derby in which Virgil van Dijk suffered an ACL injury, which was accidentally inflicted by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The England international escaped any form of punishment, leading Klopp to claim VAR officials “forgot the rules”.

Coote is considered one of the best referees in England and officiated Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield last weekend.

And former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy believes that encounter will ultimately prove to be latest of his Premier League career.