Referee David Coote's alleged comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp are being investigated by the English Football Association.
A video which began circulating online on Monday appears to show Coote making highly derogatory remarks about Klopp and the Anfield club.
The referees body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd announced on Monday that Coote, 42, had been suspended pending a full investigation.
The FA is also looking at Coote's comments. It now has the power to investigate remarks made in a private context, and it is understood part of its investigation will centre on whether Coote's reference to Klopp's nationality constitutes an aggravated breach of its misconduct rules.
"We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating it," an FA spokesperson said.
In the video, Coote is asked for his views on a Liverpool match where he has just been fourth official, and describes them as "s***".
He then calls Klopp a "German c***", and asked why he felt that way, Coote says the manager had "a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown" and had accused him of lying.
"I have got no interest in speaking to someone who's f****** arrogant, so I do my best not to speak to him," Coote says.
UEFA has also announced that its "Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on 11 November - in advance of the upcoming round of UEFA matches - when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour."
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