Former Premier League Referee David Coote Suspended Over Controversial Jurgen Klopp Comments
So, here’s the latest update about David Coote, the former Premier League referee who’s been in the spotlight for some serious controversies lately. Recently, the Football Association handed him an eight-week suspension because of comments he made about Jurgen Klopp, the ex-Liverpool manager, on social media. The whole situation really started to unfold when a video from around July 2020 surfaced online in November 2024. In that clip, Coote made some pretty harsh remarks about Klopp, including a crude reference to his German nationality, which the FA categorized as an "aggravated breach" of their conduct rules.
Coote actually admitted to the charge and has shown deep remorse for what he said. He described his comments as "crass and inappropriate" and apologized to Klopp personally, along with the FA, the referees’ governing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and the wider football community. Alongside the suspension, the FA has required him to take part in a face-to-face education program to address the issues surrounding his behavior.
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This suspension isn’t the first disciplinary action Coote has faced recently. Back in November 2024, after the video first leaked, he was immediately suspended by the FA. Then, just a month later, the Premier League’s referees’ organization, PGMOL, officially terminated his contract, saying his actions were a serious breach of his employment terms and that his position was no longer tenable. UEFA also stepped in and banned him from officiating any European matches until June 2026 after another video emerged showing Coote sniffing a white powder while on duty during Euro 2024.
It’s worth noting that Coote has been quite open about his personal struggles this year. Earlier in 2025, he publicly came out as gay, revealing that hiding his sexuality throughout his career had taken a toll on his mental health. He admitted that the pressure contributed to the outburst seen in the video about Klopp and Liverpool. During the FA investigation, Coote mentioned he thought the comments were made in a private setting and insisted they did not reflect his true professional respect for Klopp.
Additionally, Coote was cleared by the FA in June of any wrongdoing related to gambling misconduct, despite earlier allegations about discussing match decisions before games.
Overall, this chapter in David Coote’s career has been marked by a mix of personal revelation and public disciplinary action. He has apologized repeatedly and accepted responsibility, emphasizing that the situation has been one of the toughest periods of his life. His case has sparked conversations around conduct, accountability, and the pressures referees face both on and off the pitch.
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