August 12, (THEWILL) — Ex-English Premier League referee, David Coote, has received an eight-week suspension from the Football Association on Tuesday following his admission to making inappropriate comments about former Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp. The sanction stems from a video recorded in July 2020 that surfaced on social media in November 2024, showing Coote making derogatory remarks about the German coach. The 43-year-old official had already lost his position with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after the footage went viral, with his employer deeming his conduct incompatible with his role.
The FA’s independent Regulatory Commission found Coote guilty of acting improperly and using abusive language towards Klopp, with the governing body treating the case with particular severity due to its classification under aggravated breach provisions. The commission determined that Coote’s comments contained references to nationality, either directly or by implication, which elevated the seriousness of the charge under FA Rule E3.2. Beyond the suspension, Coote must complete a mandatory face-to-face education programme designed to address the underlying issues that led to his misconduct.
UEFA has imposed additional sanctions on the referee, banning him from all European competition officiating duties until June 2026. This continental prohibition effectively extends his punishment well beyond the FA’s eight-week domestic suspension, severely limiting his prospects of returning to top-level refereeing. The European governing body’s decision reflects the international ramifications of Coote’s actions and the damage caused to football’s reputation for fair play and respect.
Coote’s troubles deepened when The Sun newspaper published separate footage allegedly showing him using illegal substances during his officiating stint at Euro 2024. The video purportedly depicts the referee consuming white powder whilst working at the tournament, adding a criminal dimension to his professional downfall. These allegations have compounded the reputational damage from the Klopp incident and raised serious questions about match official conduct at major international competitions.
The referee has issued public apologies for his behaviour, acknowledging the inappropriate nature of his comments about Klopp and the damage caused to football’s integrity. His case represents one of the most serious disciplinary actions taken against a Premier League official in recent years, highlighting the standards expected of match officials both on and off the pitch. The combined sanctions from the FA and UEFA effectively end Coote’s career at elite level, serving notice to other officials about the consequences of unprofessional conduct.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
