“One is shocked and saddened that it is like this,” says Tore Hansen, managing director of Liverpool.no, to NRK about the video that has shaken the Premier League.
The English Referees’ Association PGMOL states that they have received inquiries regarding a video of Premier League referee David Coote, according to several British media outlets.
Shortly after, he has been suspended with immediate effect, according to various media, including BBC. PGMOL writes that they will not comment at this time, according to the British channel. It is reported that the matter is under further investigation.
“It’s impossible to referee Liverpool again”
A clip circulating on social media supposedly shows Coote making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
Coote just officiated Liverpool when they beat Aston Villa 2–0 recently. He has been officiating Premier League matches since 2018.
LAST MATCH: David Coote officiated Arne Slot’s Liverpool over the weekend. This could be his last Premier League match for some time.
Photo: Molly Darlington / Reuters
“From a human perspective, it is terrible to see how they can ruin so much for themselves. We are talking about a professional actor in the sport.
He emphasizes that he does not know if the video is real, but if it is, he believes Coote’s Premier League career should be over.
“If the video is genuine, then I can only think that he is done. It will be completely impossible for him to referee Liverpool again,” Hansen argues.
REACTING: Editor of Liverpool.no, Tore Hansen, is shocked by the video of referee David Coote.
NRK’s football expert Kristoffer Løkberg agrees with Hansen. It will be difficult, almost impossible, to find a way back to the Premier League for the top referee.
“He has signed his own resignation. One can think what one wants, and say that Klopp is done regardless. But if he referees a match in the Premier League that has a link to Liverpool, it will be used against him,” believes Løkberg.
“Everyone has stumbled in life, but it depends on whether you move on and show whether it represents who you are. Unfortunately, I believe it will be extremely difficult when one knows the mechanisms in top football. Supporters do not forget something like this,” he says.
DOUBTS ON RETURN: Football expert Kristoffer Løkberg believes it will be difficult for David Coote to return to the Premier League.
“Liverpool was crap”
When the video was recorded is not known, but much suggests that it dates back to the time when Klopp was still at Liverpool. The referee is first asked what he thinks of the match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020. The match ended 1–1.
“Liverpool was crap,” he says according to the video.
According to the video, he also refers to Klopp as “a German ft.”
“He accused me of lying. I have no interest in talking to someone who is so fing arrogant,” he says in the video, which NRK has seen.
NRK has not succeeded in verifying the video at the time of writing.
In the next video with the same person and in the same setting, Coote says that the video should not be spread further.
Now it has happened, and the referee’s future seems uncertain after the suspension.
CONTENTIOUS: This is supposed to be the match that David Coote refers to in the clip circulating on social media.
Photo: OLI SCARFF / Reuters
Frustrated Klopp
Press Association (PA) has asked Liverpool for a comment on the video, but has not received a response.
After the mentioned Burnley match, Klopp was critical of the referee. He thought Coote’s performance was too lenient.
“He let many offenses go,” the German claimed according to The Times.
Coote was also part of the referee team when Virgil van Dijk suffered a horrific injury against Everton in October 2020. This happened after a tough duel with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. After the match, Klopp was not satisfied.
“There were a couple of situations that I don’t completely understand,” Klopp said according to NTB’s archive.
“First, there was the tackle on van Dijk where nothing happened. If it hadn’t been offside, it should have been a penalty. Then there was offside when Henderson scored 3–2. I don’t really know,” said a frustrated Klopp.
Published
11.11.2024, at 16.43
Updated
12.11.2024, at 19.48
Interview with Tore Hansen, Managing Director of Liverpool.no
Editor of Time.news: Welcome, Tore Hansen. Thank you for joining us today. There’s been a significant uproar regarding recent events involving referee David Coote. Can you share your immediate reaction upon hearing about the video and the subsequent suspension?
Tore Hansen: Thank you for having me. I was genuinely shocked and saddened when I first saw the video. To think that a referee can make such derogatory comments, especially about someone as prominent as Jürgen Klopp, is deeply concerning. It’s not just about the words he used; it’s about the impact these comments have on the integrity of officiating in football.
Editor of Time.news: Absolutely. The video indeed shows Coote labeling Liverpool’s performance and making disparaging remarks about Klopp. How do you think this situation will affect his career moving forward?
Tore Hansen: I believe, if the video is authentic, which it seems to be, it’s going to be incredibly hard, if not impossible, for him to referee Liverpool again. His credibility has been severely compromised. Players, fans, and the club wouldn’t trust his impartiality anymore.
Editor of Time.news: Kristoffer Løkberg, NRK’s football expert, also mentioned that Coote has essentially signed his own resignation in this situation. Do you agree with that sentiment?
Tore Hansen: Completely. Once a referee’s integrity is questioned, it casts doubt on every decision they make on the pitch. The supporters are passionate; they won’t forget something like this. To expect them to accept Coote back, especially for matches involving Liverpool, would be unrealistic.
Editor of Time.news: There are discussions about the timing of the video and whether it was recorded during Klopp’s tenure. How do you feel this context impacts the situation, if at all?
Tore Hansen: The timing adds another layer. If the comments were made while he was officiating a Liverpool game, it speaks volumes about his mindset. One might wonder if he was officiating with a personal bias, which is troubling. Referees are expected to be impartial, and this further erodes trust if there were past grievances.
Editor of Time.news: What steps should the Premier League and the Referees’ Association take to address this issue and rebuild trust among clubs and fans?
Tore Hansen: First and foremost, they need to conduct a thorough investigation. Transparency is crucial in this process. Following that, they should address how they select referees for matches, ensuring that impartiality is prioritized. The Premier League has a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the sport, and this incident has certainly put that under scrutiny.
Editor of Time.news: Some supporters may worry that this situation could ignite more significant issues regarding referee accountability in the future. Do you think this could provoke a broader discussion on how referees are managed within football?
Tore Hansen: Absolutely. Every time a scandal like this arises, it pushes us to rethink our structures and processes. Fans deserve to know that the men and women officiating their games are held to high standards of professionalism and respect for all involved. If we’re serious about improving the game, we can’t shy away from these conversations.
Editor of Time.news: Thank you, Tore. This situation will undoubtedly continue to unfold, and your insights have been invaluable. We hope to see a resolution that promotes integrity in the sport and restores trust among all stakeholders.
Tore Hansen: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a positive outcome that serves the integrity of football.