Gary Neville believes David Coote should remain as a Premier League referee despite leaked video which threatens to end his career.
The Manchester United legend argued that Coote, 42, should be withdrawn from Liverpool matches but believes writing off his career is a step too far.
Coote is in trouble after a video emerged in which he called Jurgen Klopp a “German whore” and Liverpool a “German whore” and has been suspended by the PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing matches in England.
Neville was speaking before a second video emerged on Wednesday night purportedly showing the official inhaling a line of white powder.
“I think it would be a good step for David Coote to be removed from Liverpool games,” Neville told the It’s called soccer podcast.
Gary Neville has called for Premier League referee David Coote to keep his job but be banned from refereeing Liverpool matches after his insults.
Coote (above) described Jurgen Klopp as a ‘fucking German’ in a foul-mouthed tirade during the video and has since been suspended by PGMOL refereeing bosses while they investigate.
‘In labor law, and I’m not a labor lawyer, but if you call someone a name, I feel like it’s a warning. A second warning, a last warning. I don’t feel like it’s an ax, (nor that) it’s a sack.
“I feel like taking him out of Liverpool games and giving him one last warning is probably something that should happen, but I don’t think he should lose his career and everything he’s worked for all his life.
‘I don’t think I crossed that line; That line I think would have been crossed if he had said: “I won’t give Liverpool another decision again.” That’s it, you’re done, you’re out of there.
“But he actually doesn’t like the character of a certain (former) Liverpool player, Jurgen Klopp. In fact, he said he liked James Milner, who was also a Liverpool player. I don’t know, I’m a bit stuck on that.
‘To me, you walk into a work environment and think: would you want your teammate to lose their job over that?’ I’m not sure I would.’
The PGMOL is investigating both videos and Coote’s future will be decided accordingly.
He reportedly admitted that the first video is genuine, but does not remember the full content of the conversation.
The first viral video shows Coote looking run down as he goes on an explicit rant about Liverpool and Klopp.
Coote was the man in charge during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend.
He and former Liverpool boss Klopp had several falling outs over the years.
“Liverpool were shit,” Coote said in the video. ‘(Klopp is a) bastard, absolute bastard. Apart from punching me when I was refereeing against Burnley in the lockdown, he accused me of lying and then punched me.
‘I have no interest in talking to someone who is fucking arrogant. So I try my best not to talk to him. (James) Milner is fine, I get on well with him. You can see me there with a ‘mask’ on. But, my God, you German bastard, fuck me.
In a second video, he said: “Just to be clear, that last video can’t go anywhere, seriously.”
His friend in the video, identified by Mail Sport as Ben Kitt, added: “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not ruin his career.” Let’s face it, we’re good guys but we can’t ruin a guy’s career. We’re not that bad. Plus, he’s a fucking legend.”
Some fans have suggested that Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley in July 2020 could be the root of the controversy after Andy Robertson had strong words with Coote at full-time, and Klopp also seemed frustrated.
“You didn’t see anything in the whole game except (inaudible) in the last minute,” says the Scottish defender. ‘Fuck me. What’s the point of having you in the middle? What’s the point of having you? Fuck me, honestly.
While the microphones clearly picked up Robertson’s words, it is not clear from the footage what Klopp is saying as he leans toward Coote and walks alongside him.
In another video of the same post-match scenes, Trent Alexander-Arnold says: “…(if) it’s not a penalty (…) the contact echoed through the whole damn stadium.”