How PGMOL chief Howard Webb reacted to David Coote controversy in latest TV appearance

Posted by
Howard Webb and David Coote.
(Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports)

Howard Webb opted to offer only a brief statement addressing the David Coote video scandal in his latest TV appearance.

The head of the PGMOL had been scheduled to appear on the latest instalment of Match Officials Mic’d Up (broadcast on Sky Sports and TNT Sports). Liverpool fans hoping to see the 53-year-old address the officiating elephant in the room in full, however, will have been left disappointed.

This follows a rather foul-mouthed tirade of abuse Coote privately aimed at Jurgen Klopp whilst the German was still managing the Reds.

The 42-year-old described the now Red Bull employee, several years ago, as a ‘German c**t’ and noted that ‘Liverpool were s**t’.

Far from the kind of language and views befitting of a Premier League official.

What did Howard Webb discuss?

PGMOL head Howard Webb photographed ahead of 2024/25 Premier League season.
(Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Premier League)

The format of Mic’d Up sees the Premier League share private conversations between the on-pitch match official and his VAR team at Stockley Park. The goal of this being to make the officiating and decision-making process more transparent for football fans.

Webb then offers his professional opinion on these conversations from flashpoints across several Premier League fixtures.

Howard Webb had this to say when reviewing the clips in question: “We became aware of a video being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously. We’ve instigated a full investigation.

“One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.

“There’s not much more I can say at this stage until we work through that investigation.”

Liverpool v Aston Villa

There was one particularly contentious decision that could have potentially cost Liverpool dearly in our encounter with Aston Villa at the weekend.

Mo Salah was through on goal for a one-v-one situation in the second half but found himself apparently illegally felled by Leon Bailey outside the 18-yard-box.

David Coote’s gesturing appeared to indicate he felt the incident wasn’t a foul nor worthy of further review.

Fortunately for us, the scoring was opened by Darwin Nunez who latched onto the loose ball, taking it past Emi Martinez, before firing into an open net.

More Stories David Coote Howard Webb Jürgen Klopp Liverpool

5 Comments

  1. Howard Webb was never a friend of LFC , putting it mildly. Well known to us older supporters that our win ratio reduced dramatically when he refd us. Same with Coote. Funny how major incidents went against us when he refd or VAR. Said he hates Scousers. Dermott on refwatch said he couldn’t understand how Coote didn’t think how Salah wasn’t fouled. He doesn’t normally criticise refs.

  2. How can we expect a proper response from Howard Webb? He was bought from Manu for so many years . He was hated so much . Can’t believe this “person “ is going to give his answer to the question. 😡😡😡. He too is a hypocrite!!!

  3. It is sweeter that Nunez latched on to the Loose ball and scored that would of wiped the smile off Cootes face.
    Web is Manure Utd through and through so we know that he will do everything in his power to make sure that this video is deemed fake.

  4. Be interested to see the media reaction & the PGMOL response if Coote was describing the PGMOL as fucking shit & calling Howard Webb a cunt. That videos probably incoming mind.

  5. We all know Webb shares coote`s view of Liverpool With his south yorkshire police background given the Hillborough cover ups & you only have to look at the way he refereed Liverpool, reluctant to give Liverpool players any frees & could wait to blow if one of the opposition threw themselves to the ground. He was fergies fav for a reason! He`s a self seving disingenuous lying politician who tries to twist & control the narrative & anti-Liverpool media back him up but honest people can see through him!!

Comments are closed