Prominent Premier League pundit duo Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have belatedly broken their silence regarding the ongoing David Coote controversy.

A viral video has made the rounds on social media, showing the Premier League referee making inflammatory remarks about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, using the C-word about the German manager.

This prompted the Football Federation (FA) and Professional Games Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to launch a dual investigation into Coote’s behavior, with many – particularly Liverpool fans – calling for the official to be sacked. He has been suspended from his duties pending these investigations.

MORE: Who is the referee David Coote? Premier League official suspended after video bashing Liverpool and Klopp

What Carragher and Neville said about the David Coote video

Former Liverpool defender Carragher has been criticized on social media for his silence on the issue, but on Wednesday he responded to a fan demanding he comment on the matter.

He tweeted on X: “What we have learned is that you and many others are desperate for attention by throwing our names in your tweets about any controversy in football. I gave my opinion on that (on The Overlap) yesterday morning, it will fall tomorrow (Thursday).

No, what we have learned is that you and many others are desperate for attention by throwing our names into your tweets about any football controversy.
I gave my opinion on it @WeAreTheOverlap yesterday morning, it falls tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll see it! https://t.co/IWDgBmAOzE

–Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 13, 2024

Neville also spoke out, believing Coote will likely be dismissed for his use of words, but expressing sympathy for the mistake made by the referee.

Whether or not Neville and Carragher’s comments will appease fans looking for more strident criticism of Coote and the PGMOL remains to be seen.

“This will bring great disappointment to David and the refereeing community,” Neville said. The American overlap. “He called Jurgen Klopp the C-word which is obviously a very aggressive word. But I didn’t see anything in his words that told me he had influenced decisions in the wrong way, or that he was trying to overturn Liverpool.

“I hope they can get through it. If there had been any suggestion that he was making decisions against Liverpool or any other club, I would say he needs to go. He called for a word to a manager because he has a bad relationship with him and they had an argument.

“He’s going to be devastated, it’s damaging for everyone involved”

Former referee Mike Dean shares his thoughts following David Coote’s suspension by the PGMOL yesterday. pic.twitter.com/8UEXNESki5

– Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 12, 2024

“It was very botched. I’m sure it’s something he’ll regret for the rest of his life. But from the standpoint of canceling it, I’m not sure. The minute you cancel it as a Premier League referee you are effectively canceling the game. I’m not sure any organization would look at him and offer him the chance to join.

“In fact, I think the worst words in the video were said by the guy sitting next to him – ‘I hate scousers’. Because it demonstrates hatred towards a group of people, which includes Liverpool and Everton.

“David Coote never said those words himself. He’s been stitched up and it’s a disaster. It looks like he got drunk and let his partner film him, which is stupid. We all made mischief when we had too many drinks.