Premier League
Is video of David Coote’s rant about Jurgen Klopp real? Is it an AI hoax?
Footage purporting to show the Premier League referee speaking about Liverpool’s former manager is being investigated by PGMOL.
Outlets in the UK report that soccer officials are investigating a video circulating online that appears to show Premier League referee David Coote talking about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
On Monday Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) reportedly initiated an investigation into the video, in which a man repeatedly calls Klopp a ‘c**t’ while being egged on by another.
The 74-second video was shared on social media on Monday, followed by another 23-second clip in which the speaker implores the video taker not to share it. Both men appear to be intoxicated in the video and they make ironic reference to social distancing, suggesting that it may have been taken during the pandemic-era contagion restrictions.
An investigation is reportedly underway into the legitimacy of the video. As yet video experts have not had the time to confirm its authenticity or adjudge whether artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the creation of the clips. However PGMOL have acted swiftly to issue a statement and suspend Coote from competitive action.
It reads: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
What does Daivd Coote say about Liverpool in social media video?
If the videos can be proved to be Coote, his career as a top flight referee is almost certainly over. Impartiality is paramount for officials and his comments about Klopp and Liverpool would make it impossible for him to referee another game involving either.
In the video the man, allegedly Coote, is asked for an opinion on Klopp and replies: “Cunt, absolute c**t.”
“Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right fucking pop at me. I’ve got no interest at speaking to someone who’s fucking arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him … My God, German c**t, f**k me.”
He adds that Liverpool were “s**t” during a game that Coote had officiated. In a second video shared alongside that one, the man adds: “Just to be clear, that last video can’t go anywhere, seriously.”
More on this breaking news story as it develops...