Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending a full investigation after videos surfaced on social media appearing to show him making derogatory comments about Liverpool FC and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
The footage, shared on the platform X, shows Coote seated on a sofa beside an unidentified man, with the pair engaging in a conversation about the Premier League club. In the videos, Coote is heard using offensive language to describe both Liverpool and Klopp, which has caused a stir across the football community.
In one of the clips, when asked about Liverpool’s performance in a recent match, Coote responds bluntly, “Liverpool were s—.” He later refers to Klopp with explicit language, calling him an “absolute c—” and claiming that the German manager had been hostile towards him during a past encounter.
The remarks appear to stem from an incident during a 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, when Coote officiated the match as the fourth official. Coote is heard in the video explaining that Klopp had accused him of dishonesty and criticized his officiating during the game. Coote, in response, expresses his disdain for Klopp’s attitude, stating, “I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody as f—ing arrogant.”
Further comments in the video are equally disparaging. Coote refers to Klopp as a “German c—” and expresses frustration with the manager’s demeanor. He also references the COVID-19 lockdown measures that were in place at the time, noting that he was forced to maintain social distancing on the touchline during the match.
A second, shorter clip shows Coote advising the individual recording the conversation to ensure the video does not “go anywhere,” suggesting that both he and the other person were aware that the remarks could damage his career. The other man in the video responds, expressing concern about the potential fallout, saying, “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f—ing ruin his career.”
The incident has prompted the English Football Association (FA) to launch an investigation. In a statement, the FA confirmed that it was “aware of the matter” and would be looking into the authenticity of the video and the context surrounding the comments.
Coote, who has been a Premier League referee since 2018, officiated Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday, just days before the video emerged. He has also officiated high-profile matches, including the 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle. While Coote is not currently on the list of UEFA referees, he has been a prominent VAR official, having worked on key fixtures including Euro 2024.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Coote has been suspended from his duties and will not be selected to officiate in any Premier League matches or work as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) until further notice. PGMOL, the governing body for match officials in English football, has yet to make an official statement on the matter.
Also read: Van Nistelrooy Exits Man United as Amorim Takes Over as Head Coach
The investigation will likely have serious implications for Coote’s career, and if the video is verified as genuine, it could spell the end of his tenure as a top-flight official.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate among fans, players, and analysts, with many questioning the integrity of match officials and the potential consequences of such behavior. Coote’s comments are being seen by some as a serious breach of professionalism, particularly given his position of authority in the Premier League.
The FA’s investigation is expected to continue in the coming days, with updates on Coote’s future to follow once the inquiry has been completed.