David Coote Faces Suspension and Educational Program
David Coote, a former referee in the Premier League, faces a suspension of eight weeks and is required to participate in an educational program due to derogatory remarks he made regarding ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. His inappropriate comments surfaced in a video on social media last November, leading to a charge from the Football Association (FA) in June. Coote later acknowledged his wrongdoing, with the FA categorizing his misconduct as an aggravated breach since it included references to Klopp’s nationality.
Termination and Controversial Remarks
After the incident was recorded in July 2020, Coote was terminated by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December of the same year, with management stating that his situation had rendered his role “untenable“. In the controversial video, Coote expressed his disdain for the experiences as the fourth official during a Liverpool match, using offensive language to describe Klopp and labeling him as “f—— arrogant“, further escalating the nature of his conduct.
FA Investigation and Other Allegations
While the FA pursued action regarding Coote’s comments about Klopp, they concluded that there would be no further repercussions concerning other allegations related to gambling misconduct that he had vigorously denied. Those allegations were fully examined, according to the FA’s statements.
Disciplinary Actions and Personal Struggles
In February, Coote received a disciplinary action from UEFA, facing a ban until June 30, 2026, after another video showed him engaging in drug use during the previous summer’s European Championship held in Germany.
Additionally, in January, Coote discussed his sexuality publicly, revealing that his long-standing battle to come to terms with being gay played a role in his troubling behavior, including the remarks made against Klopp and his substance use. He expressed,
“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position… But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay and that I’ve had real struggles with hiding that.”
Regret and Accountability
Coote’s official response to the FA charge indicated his regret, stating that his remarks were “crass, inappropriate and unworthy” of his previous position. He emphasized that his decision to miss the hearing was not an attempt to evade accountability, but rather a reflection of his precarious mental state at that time. In the regulatory commission’s written ruling, it was noted that Coote expressed significant shame over losing his career, which had been central to his identity, and the public scrutiny exacerbated his humiliation and despair, complicating his efforts to rebuild his life from a point of near collapse.
