Revealed: David Coote’s ‘former friend’ filmed alongside Premier League ref as he called Jurgen Klopp a ‘****’ is ex-cricketer-turned-recruiter who has been left ‘absolutely gutted’ over leak [Video]

10:42 EST 12 Nov 2024, updated 12:32 EST 12 Nov 2024

The man who appeared in the astonishing leaked video involving suspended Premier League referee David Coote is said to be a former county cricketer who now works in recruitment.

Coote, who was suspended with immediate effect by refereeing chiefs PGMOL on Monday pending a full investigation, shockingly described Liverpool as ‘s***’ and former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp as a ‘German ****’ in an expletive tirade during the viral video.

Although PGMOL are looking into the possibility of the video being a deep-fake or made with artificial intelligence, Coote reportedly accepts it is a genuine recording, claiming that he does not recall the contents of the entire conversation.

According to sources who contacted Mail Sport over the identity of Coote’s friend, the man sitting alongside the Premier League referee is former Nottinghamshire cricketer Ben Kitt, who once held down a two-year contract at the club.

Mail Sport understands that …