Anfield Watch
·12. November 2024
Anfield Watch
·12. November 2024
Premier League official David Coote has been suspended by PGMOL pending a full investigation into the contents of a video, which appears to show the 42-year-old insulting Liverpool and ex-manager Jurgen Klopp.
After the controversy broke on Monday afternoon, Nottingham-born Coote confirmed it was him in the video, according to reports, although the referee is believed to be unable to remember recording it.
The issue has angered not only Liverpool supporters but fans of other clubs, with an official’s apparent personal distaste for a club and a particular manager surfacing.
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It comes as Reds supporters question Coote’s calls either as a matchday official in Liverpool games down throughout the years or else in his duties as VAR. Last weekend he waved play on after Leon Bailey had upended Mohamed Salah while through on goal but fortunately for Liverpool Darwin Nunez slotted him the resulting through ball.
Now one former Liverpool star claims that Coote is FINISHED as a referee in Britain due to the alleged contents of the video.
Danny Muphy played from Liverpool from 1997 to 2004, winning a clutch of honours including the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup and the League Cup. He was a Liverpool cult hero for his goalscoring prowess in away matches against Manchester United in particular.
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“He’s done. He’s finished. He can’t ref here,” the former midfielder told talkSPORT. “Obviously [the video] it’s awful but when we break it down, whether you're a fan player manager, referee, [we’re] all human beings and human nature kicks in.
“So I used to despise some refs more than others, and players, and managers. And you might share it when the teammates about someone you might be coming up against or being reffed by, or an opposing manager, whoever it was. You'd have people you don't like.
“So subconsciously, at times, you change and do things differently because of the people you do and don't like. A bit like when refs know a reputation of a player for diving, so the card’s nearly already out even though he's been fouled. That type of scenario.
“So at worst, all we can probably surmise is that maybe he's going into games in his head going, I don't like Klopp, he’s arrogant. I don't like Liverpool so therefore I won't give them [decisions]. Human nature kicks in and he won't be his normal quality refereeing self. Let’s make that the worst case."
Liverpool are aware of the contents of the video but have not yet made a statement. However, Murphy has urged the club, head coach Arne Slot and his players to stay silent and let the situation play out.
“I'd be saying if I was him [Arne Slot], you don't talk about it, you don't tweet about it,” Murphy said.
“You don't mention it on social media. You leave it be, and you crack on with what we're doing which is playing great football and winning games.
“I think it would be a mistake for any of them to start even referencing it when asked and it would be a closed shop for me, that one. And I wouldn't even entertain it if I was him.
“Now, he might need to entertain it from a fans’ perspective because they're going to be angry, but the consolation is that he's not going to be reffing Liverpool any time soon, if ever again. It's actually been taken out of his hands.”