Man filmed alongside David Coote in anti-Liverpool video named and suspended from job

Exclusive: Ben Kitt, a former cricketer, is being investigated by his employers over video in which referee insults Jurgen Klopp

The man filmed alongside David Coote, the Premier League referee who is facing the sack for calling Jürgen Klopp a “c—” and “f—— arrogant”, has been suspended from his job.
Telegraph Sport can reveal that former Nottinghamshire cricketer Ben Kitt is being investigated by his employers, executive recruitment firm Forsyth Barnes, clients of which reportedly have included Manchester United and Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old, who failed to make a first-class appearance for Notts before leaving in 2018, can be seen in the leaked video quizzing Coote about Klopp and Liverpool.
Kitt concludes the clip by saying: “Long story short: Jürgen Klopp’s a c—, Liverpool are all f—— b—ends and we hate Scousers.”
The footage, which was posted to social media on Monday, appears to have been filmed in the wake of Liverpool’s 7-2 thrashing by Aston Villa in October 2020.
In a statement released to Telegraph Sport, Forsyth Barnes co-founder Roheel Ahmad said: “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.
“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 that has also resulted in Coote being suspended by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) pending a full investigation and the Football Association launching a separate investigation of its own.
Telegraph Sport has been told that Coote, whose father was a cricketer for Nottinghamshire, will also have no involvement in Nations League fixtures in the coming days.
The video, which emerged after Coote took charge of Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League win against Aston Villa on Saturday, shows Kitt asking the referee what he thinks “of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official”, to which the latter replies: “Liverpool were s—-.”
Coote is then asked what he thinks of Klopp, to which he answers: “C—. Absolute c—.”
Encouraged to explain why, he says: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f—— pop at me. And I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody who’s f—— arrogant. So, I do my best not to speak to him.”
He goes on to say that Liverpool vice-captain James Milner is “all right” and holds up his mobile phone to reveal a picture of him standing next to the midfielder as he is being brought on as a substitute by Klopp in what appears to be Liverpool’s 7-2 defeat at Villa.
He adds of Klopp: “My god, German c—. F— me.”
In a second clip, Coote says: “Like, just to be clear, that f—— last video can’t go anywhere. Seriously.”
This is echoed by Kitt, who says: “He’s a Premier League referee. Let’s not f—— ruin his career. Like, let’s face it, we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also, he’s a f—— legend.”
Coote has yet to respond.