Jamie Carragher hits back at fan over David Coote stance – after Liverpool legend was accused of being a ‘mouth piece’ for referees’ chief
Jamie Carragher has hit back after a fan on social media accused the pundit of being a ‘mouthpiece’ for referees chief Howard Webb following David Coote’s suspension.
Coote was suspended on Monday by refereeing body PGMOL, with the organization launching an investigation after footage emerged of the official calling former Liverpool boss Klopp a ‘German ****’ and ‘damn arrogant’.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville had suggested on the It’s Called Soccer podcast that Coote should continue to shadow a Premier League referee but be removed from matches involving Liverpool after the video.
Neville was speaking before the appearance of a second video on Wednesday evening that allegedly showed the officer snorting a line of white powder.
A fan took aim at Carragher and Neville after the second video was leaked, accusing both pundits of being a ‘mouthpiece’ for PGMOL’s chief referee Webb.
Jamie Carragher has hit back after a fan accused him of being a ‘mouthpiece’ for referees
Coote was suspended by the PGMOL earlier this week after a video of him was leaked online
Carragher punched the fan for speaking ‘c***’ when he had not yet given his opinion on the situation
The comment claimed that both had given their views on the Stick to Football podcast.
“So Carra and Neville both supported Coote on the overlap, but a few hours later a video emerges of him donning the gear while working at the Euros,” the fan wrote on social media.
‘I would suggest that in the future I no longer be a mouthpiece for Howard Webb @Carra23 @GNev2.’
The comment prompted Carragher to hit back on Thursday morning, with the Liverpool legend insisting he had not yet commented on Coote’s situation.
“I didn’t, and the episode isn’t even out yet! It’s just a summary of the c**p people talking here!!”
Carragher outlined his views on Coote’s position in the Stick to Football podcast podcast, which was published on Thursday but was recorded before the second video 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 lockdown, that someone saved it and released it now – people do stupid things,” Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
Coote was suspended for making disparaging comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp
A video has emerged of the suspended referee allegedly snorting white powder in a hotel room
Coote (pictured topless in a separate video) has also been accused of making disparaging 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 if someone keeps that, it’s just… he had a nightmare. When the guy says what he said to the camera, just end the recording.
“I can’t imagine what that guy is going through right now and I don’t want that cancel culture, but how can he be a rival? It’s not just that he can’t referee for Liverpool, but how does he do it for Everton? The number of eyes you get.
‘The thing I despise most about social media is when a referee makes a decision and that whole fan base [is bickering].
“But didn’t people think that’s what referees thought about people anyway?”
On Wednesday, the second video surfaced of a man believed to be Coote. The official appeared to be snorting a white powder in a hotel room while serving last summer’s Euros.
The eight-second clip, leaked and published by The Sun on Wednesday evening, reportedly shows the official using a rolled-up banknote to inhale the powder.
The latest video is said to have been recorded on July 6, the day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Portugal and France, in which Coote was a supporting VAR official and Michael Oliver was the referee.
UEFA said on Wednesday evening in relation to Coote’s previous conduct: ‘The UEFA Refereeing Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on 11 November when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.’
Coote (pictured confronted by Liverpool’s Andy Robertson) reportedly called the defender a ‘Scottish p****’
A PGMOL spokesperson said: “We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.
“David’s well-being remains of the utmost importance to us and we are doing everything we can to provide him with the ongoing necessary support he needs during this period.
“We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia could be a potential escape route for Coote. However, the emergence of the latest video will certainly put an end to any move to 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 disparaging comments about Everton, including calling Goodison Park the worst place to perform because fans were ‘shouting insults so close to the pitch’.
The friend also claims Coote branded Liverpool defender Andy Robertson a ‘Scottish p****’ while saying in video chats that the Anfield club ‘wouldn’t win the Premier League’ this season. In the original clip, the Nottinghamshire official claimed Klopp was ‘arrogant’.
“Apart from right-handing me when I turned them down against Burnley during lockdown, he (Klopp) accused me of lying and had a crack at me,” Coote said. “I’m not interested in talking to someone who’s damn arrogant. I try my best not to talk to him.
‘My God, German ****, fuck me.’