Referee David Coote, who officiates in the English Premier League, is under intense scrutiny following a recently surfaced video. In the video, he allegedly made offensive remarks about Liverpool FC and manager Jurgen Klopp.
The video was released on Monday. It was reportedly filmed in 2020 which shows Coote referring to Liverpool as “s***” and Klopp an “absolute c***.”
In addition to this, Coote also suggested that his relationship with Klopp had soured after an encounter during Liverpool’s match against Burnley during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), Coote’s employer, has immediately suspended him as they conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.
The Football Association (FA) has also initiated a separate inquiry, indicating a potential charge for an “aggravated breach” of conduct.
According to FA rules, this charge considers language or behaviour that references “whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality,” according to the Times‘ Martyn Ziegler.
Such terminology could lead to significant disciplinary actions, potentially ending Coote’s officiating career in the English game.
Coote insults Klopp and Liverpool
In the video, Coote also voiced derogatory sentiments about Liverpool. He called the club “absolute c***” and agreed with a friend’s negative view of “Scousers.” Coote said:
“Milner’s alright. I get on with Milner…but, my god, German c***. F*** me.”
After describing Klopp as an “absolute c***,” Coote was asked by the friend recording the video to explain why he thought that. He replied,
“Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying then just had a right f***ing pop at me, I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f***ing arrogant.
I do my best not to speak to him.”
Finally, Coote’s friend summarised:
“Long story short. Jurgen Klopp‘s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s and we hate Scousers.”
Also, his friend, who recorded the footage, characterized the conversation as shared disdain for Klopp and Liverpool. This prompted immediate backlash from both the public and football communities.
Coote’s future hangs in the balance
Ziegler made comparisons to the case of former Tottenham Hotspur player Dele Alli. He was fined £50,000 and banned for one match in 2020 when the then-Tottenham player “[made] fun of Covid-19 and [singled] out an Asian man” in a private Snapchat video.
Similar consequences are anticipated for Coote, with any penalties from the FA likely to be compounded by disciplinary measures from PGMOL.
The implications for Coote’s career appear severe. His remarks have been confirmed as authentic. This reflect poorly on the impartiality expected of match officials in the Premier League.
Further, given the gravity of the charges and FA’s sensitivity to breaches of conduct involving nationality and ethnicity, Coote may not return to refereeing at the professional level.
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