Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending an investigation by the league's refereeing body after a video emerged on social media in which he uses highly offensive language towards former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
And on Tuesday, the English Football Association announced that it would also carry out an investigation into the matter.
It is unclear when the video was made or how it came into circulation. The National has not verified its authenticity though it is understood the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) are treating the video as genuine. Neither Liverpool or Klopp have yet commented on the video.
In it, Coote is asked for his views on a Liverpool match in which he has just been fourth official, and describes them in unflattering terms.
He then uses an offensive term to describe Klopp, and asked why he felt that way, Coote says the German had “a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown” and had accused him of lying.
Coote then uses another expletive to describe the German, and says he has "no interest in speaking to someone ... arrogant."
“I do my best not to speak to him,” Coote adds.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited said in a statement: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
On Tuesday, the FA said in a statement: "We are aware of the matter and we are investigating it."
Klopp left Liverpool in the summer after almost a decade in charge.
Coote was the official for the Reds’ most recent Premier League game – a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday night.
It is understood Liverpool are aware of the video but in light of an investigation being launched do not feel it would be appropriate to comment.
Referees are required to inform PGMOL of the club they support. Coote, from Nottingham, is registered as a Notts County fan and is therefore unable to officiate County or Nottingham Forest matches.
Klopp was critical that Coote, as VAR, had failed to award Liverpool a penalty in a match against Arsenal last season when Gunners midfielder Martin Odegaard’s hand made contact with the ball.
Coote judged that Odegaard handled the ball as he sought to maintain his balance and did not advise on-field official Chris Kavanagh to review the incident.
Klopp said after the match: “I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?
“I don’t say that the ref can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment.
“But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly, it could be worth the referee having another look?”
Coote was also the VAR in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020 when Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was involved in a collision that caused a season-ending injury for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
Pickford was not sent off for the challenge and did not face retrospective action because, under English Football Association rules, that can only happen if an incident was not seen at the time or when it was reviewed by VAR.
