Premier League referee David Coote is facing a potential charge from the Football Association (FA) over an alleged video of him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) launched an investigation on Monday after a video emerged on social media, which appeared to show Coote branding Liverpool "s***" and former manager Jurgen Klopp a "German c***".
The Mirror journalist Darren Lewis reported later that evening that Coote had admitted the video was legitimate to the PGMOL.
However, it was also claimed that he stressed he does not remember the content of the conversation, which was said to be recorded several years ago.
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However, neither the PGMOL nor Coote have confirmed if the claims are accurate, with the governing body stating it would not comment until its investigation was complete.
"David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation," read a statement.
"PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."
The FA has now reportedly launched its own investigation and is considering taking 'unprecedented' action over the video.
The BBC report that Coote's alleged use of Klopp's German nationality to preface one of his comments could be viewed as an 'aggravated breach' of FA rules, leading to a potential charge.
FA rules state that an 'aggravated breach' includes a reference 'whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality'.
"We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating it," the FA said in a statement.
The BBC also claim that Nottingham-born Coote, who is one of the Premier League's most-experienced officials and has been refereeing matches in the top flight of English football since 2018, has been withdrawn from an international commitment this week as a result of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph state that it would be 'unusual and perhaps unprecedented' for a match official to face such an FA charge.
Like Coote, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are yet to issue a public response to the video and the allegations against the official.
Topics: Premier League, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, PGMOL
Rory O'Callaghan