‘Honesty & integrity is key’ – Danny Murphy: Ref for Leeds v Wolves should be ‘pulled’ from game
talkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy has said that David Coote, the referee for the Leeds United v Wolves game tonight, should be pulled from the game by the Premier League.
Coote was the man in charge of VAR in the Merseyside derby on Saturday and was at the centre of the latest Stockley Park controversy.
Virgil van Dijk was seriously injured by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford just six minutes into the game.
Coote reviewed the incident and awarded an offside but didn’t recommend any action against Pickford for the horror tackle.
Talking on the White & Sawyer Show (Monday, talkSPORT, 10am) Murphy said he should be “pulled” from the game.
“I’d have pulled him,” Murphy said. “With the scrutiny on him at the moment, while that’s happening, just pull him out.
“If he has another contentious issue tonight then it could get much worse for him.
“Honesty and integrity is key here. Everyone I know who watched the game saw the tackle. I think he bottled it. He saw the tackle. He did see it.”
Jim White said that Coote had said he didn’t see the red card challenge.
“Then he should be taken off duties because my boy saw it,” Murphy replied.
Coote decision was unforgiveable
Pickford’s challenge was disgusting. Everyone watching the game saw it.
It doesn’t matter that the player was offside, it doesn’t give an opposition player the right to assault him.
Van Dijk now faces surgery and could miss the rest of the season.
What’s VAR there for if it’s not for things like this?
Coote will now be under immense pressure tonight and we agree with Danny Murphy – we think it would be better all-round if he was taken off the game.
Officials should be responsible for their performances, just like players.
We’re concerned that he will have too much on his mind to perform at his best tonight at Elland Road.
Leeds have history with Coote after he sent off both Kiko Casilla (Sheffield United) and Liam Cooper (Millwall) in recent games.
The last thing we need is another soft red because Coote feels he needs to show he can recognise a bad challenge.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Absurd’ – Nuno hits out as Wolves preparations for Leeds clash hit hard