David Coote's ex-colleague breaks refs' silence on what suspended official is really like

Former Premier League referee Peter Walton has described his former colleague David Coote as "captain sensible", admitting the leaked video showing the official ranting about and was a huge surprise.

Coote, 42, has been after a - which is believed to be a few years old - showing him calling Klopp a "German ****" and Liverpool "s***" circulated on social media.

It is believed after speculation it could have been a deepfake - but does not recall the content of the discussion after talking to another man while sat down on a sofa.

Now Walton - who officiated top flight games for over a decade - has become the first refereeing figure to discuss Coote's situation, saying the video was shocking due to his usually quiet nature and questioned whether he was "trying to be someone he's not".

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He told : "There are some referees I consider more loose-lipped, and more laddish in their behaviour away from the public spotlight. David is not one of them. I would have described him as captain sensible, maybe a bit highly-strung at times, and not one of the lads.

"Unlike some referees, you rarely see him laughing and joking with players during matches — he is generally very straight-laced. I look at the video and wonder if part of the problem is that he is trying to be someone he is not."

Walton has worked with Coote in the past and while he said suspending him was the correct decision, he was fearful about the impact this episode will have on referees.

The PGMOL released a brief statement on Monday confirming Coote's suspension. It said: "David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."

He is asked: "What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier?" Coote responds: "Liverpool were s***." He is then asked: "What do you think of Jurgen Klopp?" To which Coote replied: "C***. Absolute c***.

"Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against in lockdown, he accused me of lying then had a right f****** pop at me."

He adds: "I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f***ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. (James) Milner is all right, I get on with him. You can see me there with a ‘mask’ on. But, my god, German ****, f*** me."

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