Jamie Carragher has hit back after a fan on social media accused the pundit of being a ‘mouthpiece’ for refereeing chief Howard Webb following David Coote’s suspension.
Coote was suspended by refereeing body PGMOL on Monday, with the organization launching an investigation after footage emerged of the official calling former Liverpool boss Klopp a “German whore” and “f***ing arrogant”.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville had suggested on the It’s Called Soccer podcast that Coote should remain a Premier League referee but should be removed from matches involving Liverpool after the video.
Neville was speaking before a second video emerged on Wednesday night purportedly showing the official inhaling a line of white powder.
One fan took aim at Carragher and Neville after the second video was leaked, accusing both experts of being “spokespersons” for Webb, PGMOL’s head of refereeing.
Jamie Carragher has hit back after a fan accused him of being a ‘mouthpiece’ for the referees.
Coote was suspended by the PGMOL earlier this week after a video of him was leaked online.
Carragher criticized the fan for talking ‘shit’ and had yet to give his opinion on the matter.
The comment stated that both had given their position on the Stick to Football podcast.
“So Carra and Neville supported Coote in the overlap, but a few hours later a video appears of him putting on the kit while working at the Euros,” the fan wrote on social media.
“I would suggest not being a spokesperson for Howard Webb in the future @Carra23 @GNev2.”
The comment prompted Carragher to respond on Thursday morning, with the Liverpool legend highlighting that he had yet to comment on the Coote situation.
‘I didn’t, and the episode hasn’t come out yet!’ It just sums up the shit people talk about here!!’
Carragher outlined his views on Coote’s position on the Stick to Football podcast, which was released on Thursday but was recorded before the second video was leaked.
The former Liverpool defender claimed Coote “has had a nightmare” and questioned whether he could also referee rival teams in the Premier League.
“The fact that it came out four years after closure, that someone saved it and published it now, people do stupid things,” Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast, presented by sky bet.
Coote was suspended for making derogatory comments about Liverpool and his former boss
A video has since emerged of the suspended referee allegedly inhaling white powder in a hotel.
Coote (pictured topless in a separate video) has also been accused of making derogatory comments about Everton Football Club and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
‘You’ve had a few drinks and you wake up in the morning to delete that or whatever, but for someone to be left with that is just… they’ve had a nightmare. When the guy is saying what he said to the camera, just end the recording.
“I can’t imagine what the guy is going through now and I don’t want that cancel culture, but how can he now referee a rival? It’s not just that he can’t referee Liverpool, how can he referee Everton? The amount of eyes you receive.
“What I hate most about social media is when a referee makes a decision and all those fans (are arguing).
“But also, didn’t people think referees thought that about people anyway?”
The second video of a man allegedly Coote emerged on Wednesday and appeared to show the referee inhaling a white powder in a hotel room while officiating at last summer’s European Championship.
The eight-second clip, leaked on Wednesday night and published by The Sun, allegedly shows the official using a rolled-up banknote to inhale the powder.
The latest video is said to have been recorded on July 6, a day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France, in which Coote was a VAR support official and Michael Oliver was the referee.
UEFA said on Wednesday night in relation to Coote’s past conduct: “The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on 11 November when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.”
Coote also allegedly called Liverpool defender Andy Robertson (right) a ‘Scottish f****’.
A PGMOL spokesperson said: “We are aware of the allegations and take them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.
‘David’s wellbeing remains of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing and necessary support he needs during this period.
“We are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia could be a possible escape route for Coote. However, the emergence of the latest video will surely put an end to any shift towards the Middle East.
The Sun, which obtained the clip, claims Coote sent it to a friend from his hotel room.
His friend reportedly claims Coote made derogatory comments about Everton, including calling Goodison Park the worst place to referee because of fans “shouting abuse so close to the pitch”.
The friend also alleges Coote labeled Liverpool defender Andy Robertson a “Scottish b****” while saying in video chats that the Anfield club “won’t win the Premier League” this season. In the original clip, the Nottinghamshire official claimed Klopp was “arrogant”.
“Apart from having a straight pop at me when I was refereeing them against Burnley in the lockdown, he (Klopp) accused me of lying and gave me a straight pop,” Coote said. ‘I have no interest in talking to someone who is fucking arrogant. I try my best not to talk to him.
“My God, you German bastard, fuck me.”
Jamie Carragher spoke on the Stick to Football podcast, presented by sky bet
Please note: This episode was recorded on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Events and developments after this date may not be reflected in the discussion.