Former Referee Facing Sanctions
David Coote, a former referee for the Premier League, is facing sanctions from the Football Association (FA) due to offensive remarks he made regarding Jürgen Klopp, the former manager of Liverpool, back in July 2020. This incident came to light following an anonymous video shared on X, where Coote openly criticized Klopp, leading to an internal investigation by PGMOL that resulted in his dismissal in November 2024.
Violation of FA Guidelines
The FA has stated that Coote’s comments likely violated their guidelines, specifically alleging that he acted inappropriately and used abusive language, which they categorized as an “Aggravated Breach” since it referred to a specific nationality. In the controversial video, Coote remarks dismissively about Liverpool’s performance, labeling the team with profanity, and expresses disdain for Klopp, calling him derogatory names.
Background of the Incident
Moreover, Coote elaborated that his negative sentiments towards Klopp stemmed from previous interactions during a match where he officiated Liverpool against Burnley, during which Klopp accused him of dishonesty. Coote admitted to avoiding communication with the manager, insisting on his lack of interest in engaging with what he deems arrogance, while giving a nod of approval to player James Milner.
Limits of Retaliation
Despite his misconduct, retaliation options are limited for the FA as Coote has already been removed from officiating duties. Any possible penalties such as fines or bans would only come into effect if he re-entered the football officiating realm, which is uncertain. The FA’s investigation also cleared Coote of any gambling misconduct linked to a yellow card issued to Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski in 2019, which was previously mentioned in a report by The Sun.
UEFA Suspension
Additionally, UEFA has suspended Coote until June 30, 2026, due to separate allegations of unprofessional behavior captured in a video where he appeared to be using illicit substances while working as a VAR in Paris during the Euro 2024 tournament. This action was taken as a result of his failure to uphold the integrity of the sport, as underpinning the regulations surrounding referees’ conduct.
