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 ‘mouth piece’ for referees’ chief Howard Webb following the suspension of David Coote.

Coote was suspended by referees’ body PGMOL on Monday, with the organisation launching an investigation after footage emerged of the official calling former Liverpool boss Klopp a ‘German ****’ 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 following, but be taken off matches involving Liverpool following the video.

Neville was speaking before the emergence of a second video on Wednesday night which allegedly showed the official snorting a line of white powder.

A fan took aim at Carragher and Neville following the second video being leaked, accusing both of the pundits of being a ‘mouth piece’ for Webb – PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer.

The comment claimed both had given their position on the Stick to Football podcast.

‘So Carra and Neville have both backed Coote on the overlap only for a few hours later a video of him getting on the gear while working at the Euro’s comes out,’ the fan wrote on social media.

‘I’d suggest not being a mouth piece for Howard Webb in future @Carra23 @GNev2.’

The comment prompted Carragher to hit back on Thursday morning, with the Liverpool legend highlighting that he had been yet to comment on Coote’s situation.

‘I didn’t, and the episode isn’t even out yet! Just sums up the c**p people talk on here!!’ 

Carragher did outline his view on Coote’s position on the Stick to Football podcast podcast, which was published on Thursday – but recorded prior to the second video being 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 has come out four years after lockdown, for someone to have kept that and put it out now – people do stupid things,’ Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.

‘You’ve had a few drinks, and you wake up in the morning to delete that or whatever – but for someone to keep that is just… he has had a nightmare. When the fella is saying what he said to the camera, just end the recording.

‘I can’t imagine what the fella is going through now and I don’t want that cancel culture, but how can he now ref a rival? It’s not just that he can’t referee Liverpool, how does he referee Everton? The amount 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 also, did people not think that referees thought that about people anyway?’

The second video of a man alleged to be Coote emerged on Wednesday, which appeared to show the official snorting a white powder in a hotel room while he was officiating at last summer’s Euros.

The eight-second clip, leaked on Wednesday night and published by The Sun, allegedly shows the official using a rolled-up bank note 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 support VAR official and Michael Oliver was the referee. 

UEFA said on Wednesday night in relation to Coote’s previous conduct: ‘The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on November 11 when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.’

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 welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through 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 surely put paid to any switch to the Middle East.

The Sun, who obtained the clip, claim Coote sent it to a friend from his hotel room.

His friend reportedly claims Coote made disparaging remarks about Everton, including calling Goodison Park the worst place to officiate due to fans ‘shouting abuse so close to the pitch’.

The friend also alleges Coote labelled Liverpool defender Andy Robertson a ‘Scottish p****’, while saying in video chats that the Anfield club would ‘not win the Premier League’ this season. In the original clip, the Nottinghamshire official claimed Klopp was ‘arrogant’.

‘Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he (Klopp) accused me of lying and had a right f*****g pop at me,’ said Coote. ‘I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f****** arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him.

‘My God, German ****, f*** me.’