Refereeing

DARREN FLETCHER had to be restrained by a Manchester United colleague during his “extremely aggressive” confrontation with referees.Fletcher, 40, is now a coach with the Red Devils having spent three years as technical director until April. Darren Fletcher let rip at the referees following Brentford’s goal at Old TraffordCredit: GettyHowever, his anger boiled over during the club’s 2-1 win over Brentford on October 19 – sparking a three-match ban from the FA and a £7,500 fine. Fletcher was furious over Ethan Pinnock’s opener just before half-time which went in while bleeding Matthijs de Ligt was ordered off the pitch to receive treatment for the gash on his head. And now the details of the referee’s report have been revealed by the Independent Regulatory Commission – including fourth official Gavin Ward’s version of events.As reported by the Daily Mail, Ward told the Commission: “Following the half-time whistle and as I made my way up the tunnel, I was approached by Darren Fletcher of Manchester United in an extremely aggressive manner pointing and shouting at me, ‘You are all f***ing s***, that is a f***ing joke, every f***ing week.’READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I asked him to calm down and highlighted that his behaviour was completely unacceptable at this point. “He then needed to be held back by another member of staff, as he tried to get closer to me. “With this, I turned away and continued to make my way to the match officials changing room. “Once in the changing room and when the other match officials arrived, I made them aware of the conduct of Mr Fletcher.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSVideo footage without audio from inside the Old Trafford tunnel showed Fletcher’s behaviour.The Commission commented: “[Fletcher had become] agitated and started to remonstrate with the Fourth Official, gesturing with his hands, shouting, and attempting to get closer to the Fourth Official in a confrontational manner. Man Utd director Darren Fletcher in X-rated row with furious fan during heated Leicester draw”He is then held back and pushed away by a Manchester United colleague.”The video showed Fletcher acting in a manner that we consider to be aggressive.”Fletcher admitted his misconduct charge from The FA but denied he was abusive – but the investigation “found this to be proven”. The ex-midfielder apologised for his reaction and claimed it was triggered by United conceding right before half-time.He also claimed his words were “criticism towards the process for managing medical treatment of the particular football player in this matter and in reference to an incident in a previous home game where at a similar stage of the game a red card was incorrectly issued to a Manchester United player”. The Commission took into consideration Fletcher’s exemplary disciplinary record as a player and as a coach – however, further mitigation requests were ignored. Man Utd ratings v LeicesterHere’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the Red Devils.ANDRE ONANA – 7Stood tall when Ndidi went through on goal and a decent tip round the post from Ayew as Leicester tried to get back in it.NOUSSAIR MAZROUAI – 6Lucky to escape tackle on Buonanotte without any punishment. Supplied the cross from the left which led to United’s second goal.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6Made a key second half clearance when the Foxes were trying to find their way back into the game. Fairly comfortable afternoon for home defenders.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7Spent the first hour at centre half then showed his versatility by switching to left-back when Dalot was forced off.DIOGO DALOT – 6Did a steady job keeping the Foxes at bay but then taken off on the hour – presumably due to injury as United had to reshuffle their defence.CASEMIRO – 7Better from the veteran Brazilian who helped United take command of the game before getting the chance to put his feet up late on.MANUEL UGARTE – 6Great challenge on Soumare showed what he is all about and some signs he is finding his feet. Will be looking forward to arrival of former boss Amorim.AMAD DIALLO – 7Delightful backheel for Fernandes to curl home the opener and could have scored himself. The Ivorian has had a good week.  BRUNO FERNANDES – 8Presented with a shirt to mark his 250th appearance before the game and will be getting more plaudits for his performance here. Involved in all three goals.MARCUS RASHFORD – 5Given the nod to start ahead of Garnacho but did not do enough to justify the faith of Van Nistelrooy. No surprise when he was replaced by the Argentine on the hour.RASMUS HOJLUND – 5A largely ineffective afternoon for the Danish forward before he was subbed late on. Nothing wrong with his work-rate but does he have the quality Amorim will want?They added the three-match touchline ban was “a fair and reasonable sanction given the confrontational behaviour displayed on the video evidence and the fact that there was an opportunity to leave the remonstration with the Fourth Official, but Mr Fletcher decided to carry on”.Fletcher served the first game of his suspension during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester.He will then be in the stands for Ruben Amorim’s opening two fixtures as the new United manager – against Ipswich on November 24 and then Everton on December 1. Ironically, Fletcher was sat in the stands for his club’s next Premier League match following the comeback win over Brentford when United travelled to West Ham.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd his fury exploded into another expletive-laden rant when VAR awarded the Hammers a controversial last-gasp penalty – with De Ligt again at the centre of the drama. Fletcher was sat among the United analysts at the London Stadium and reportedly fumed: “One week it’s a high threshold, next week it’s not, f***ing joke.”United were angry Ethan Pinnock scored while Matthijs de Ligt was off the field getting treatmentCredit: Getty More

REFS chief Howard Webb has broken his silence over David Coote’s X-rated leaked video.Premier League official Coote has been suspended after he labelled former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t” on camera.Howard Webb has broken his silence over David Coote’s X-rated videoCredit: PASunSport understands Coote will quit his role before he is firedCredit: XReferee body PGMOL have launched an investigation into the footage, with the FA also conducting their own probe.And SunSport can exclusively reveal that Coote is expected to quit before he is sacked.PGMOL chief Webb was forced to break his silence after appearing on Sky Sports show Mic’d Up last night.And he insisted his organisation are taking Coote’s video “very seriously.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “We became aware of a video that was 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’ve worked through that investigation.”The sensational minute-long clip looks set to end Coote’s career and cost him a fortune in lost earnings.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe stands to lose his job as a Select Group 1 referee that pays him at least £100,000 a year.Fifa are also looking into his part-time position with them.Premier League referee David Coote SUSPENDED as video appears to show him calling Klopp a ‘c***’ in anti-Liverpool rantAnd he has already been booted off Uefa’s matchlist for a Nations League game during the current international break.Referencing Klopp’s nationality also means Coote faces stiffer sanctions from a potential aggravated misconduct charge.And the Nottinghamshire official has no hope of keeping a role within the PGMOL once he hangs up his whistle — like many of his peers.A source told SunSport: “He’s looking at more than a million quid down the drain there when you add it all up.”Shocking David Coote video in fullFirst videoFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.”Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.”So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.”Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.” More

THE man who filmed David Coote’s anti-Liverpool rant has been named and reportedly suspended from his job.Footage emerged on Monday of Premier League referee Coote making derogatory comments about Jurgen Klopp and his former side.David Coote was suspended by the PGMOL for his comments about KloppCredit: XThe person who filmed him, Ben Kitt, has also been suspended by his companyKitt is a former Nottinghamshire County Cricket playerCredit: FacebookCoote, 42, has been suspended by the PGMOL pending an investigation.Now the person responsible for filming the video, named as Ben Kitt, has also been suspended from his job, report The Telegraph.The former Nottinghamshire cricketer is being investigated by his employers, executive recruitment firm Forsyth Barnes, whose clients include Manchester United and Real Madrid.Kitt is heard saying in the clip: “Long story short: Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b***ends and we hate Scousers.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLForsyth Barnes co-founder Roheel Ahmad said in a statement to the Telegraph: “Forsyth Barnes understands that the leaked video of David Coote includes one of its employees, Ben Kitt.“This is something that we are taking very seriously and we have suspended Ben on full pay while we investigate further.“Although we are still in the process of gathering all the facts, we do know for certain that the video was taken some years before Ben became an employee of Forsyth Barnes.“In his time with the business, Ben has demonstrated a strong [work] ethic and dedication to his career. He has matured considerably and grown into a responsible young man.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShocking David Coote video in fullFirst videoFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.”Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.”So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.”Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”“To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, Forsyth Barnes will not be making any further comments.”A spokesman for the firm said Kitt did not wish to comment on the video, while Coote is also yet to respond.Premier League referee David Coote SUSPENDED as video appears to show him calling Klopp a ‘c***’ in anti-Liverpool rantIn the clip, Coote can be seen branding the Merseyside club “s**t” and calling Klopp a “c***” while in conversation with Kitt.Referencing a match between Liverpool and Burnley in 2020, Coote added: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I was refereeing them against Burnley in lockdown, he (Klopp) accused me of lying and then had a right f***ing pop of me.”I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f***ing arrogant.”He later said in a separate video: “Just to be clear, that f***ing last video cannot go anywhere, seriously.”Coote has since admitted the video is of him but “cannot recall” making it.The ref has been excluded from Uefa’s match list for the upcoming Nations League fixtures this week. More