The PGMOL has launched an investigation after alleged footage of Premier League referee David Coote making disparaging comments towards Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp surfaced online.
The 42-year-old official, who has been part of the Premier League's Select Group since 2018, was in charge of Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Now, two days after that win, a video has circulated on social media which claims to show Coote making insulting comments about Liverpool.
It is unclear when the footage was filmed. In the video, a man which appears to be Coote is asked about a Liverpool match in which he had been fourth official 'recently', and he name-drops former manager Klopp.
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The other man in the clip then asks Coote what he thought of Liverpool during that particular match, to which he replied: "Liverpool were s***."
A question is then asked about Klopp, to which he replies: "A c***. Absolute c***.
"Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me. I've got no interest in speaking to somebody who's f***ing arrogant."
He then added: "[James] Milner's alright. I get on with Milner."
A photo is then shown from the match, on a phone, which shows Coote wearing a mask while stood alongside Milner and Klopp.
The video has already been widely circulated on social media since it was posted shortly before 2pm.
SPORTbible understands the PGMOL - the refereeing body responsible for professional match officials in England - has been made aware of the footage and is investigating.
The PGMOL is only in the preliminary stages of its investigation and it has not been confirmed if the man in the video is indeed Coote.
There is the possibility that the clip could be a deep-fake or made using artificial intelligence.
The Mirror has since reported that Coote 'vehemently denies inappropriate conduct' and has been 'insistent to referee chiefs' that the video is not genuine.
Coote is yet to issue a public statement responding to the allegations.
SPORTbible has contacted the PGMOL for comment.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Premier League, Football
Ryan Smart