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Former Premier League referee David Coote has been sanctioned and given an eight-week ban by the Football Association in relation to comments he made about former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp in a video that went viral last year.
Coote had been sacked by English soccer referees’ body PGMOL after a video, recorded in July 2020, circulated on social media showing the official allegedly abusing Klopp and after a full investigation, his position was deemed untenable.
The 43-year-old was charged by the FA in June and an independent Regulatory Commission has now imposed an eight-week suspension and mandatory face-to-face education program on him. Coote had admitted the charge.
“It was alleged that contrary to FA Rule E3.1 the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words about Jurgen Klopp in a video that was recorded around July 2020 and appeared on social media in November 2024,” the FA said.
“It was also alleged that his actions constitute an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as they included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality.”
Europe’s soccer governing body also said Coote was banned from any UEFA refereeing activity until June 2026. Coote has apologised for his actions.
The Sun also published a video which the newspaper said showed Coote appearing to snort white powder during his time working as a match official at Euro 2024.
In the video he is asked about how Liverpool from an earlier game and he responds with: “Liverpool were s—“.
Jurgen Klopp speaks with referee David Coote following a Premier League match in 2020. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Pool via Getty Images)
Then when asked about their manager at the time, Jurgen Klopp, he replie: “C–t, absolute c–t”.
He went on to say Klopp “had a right pop at me when I refereed against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying”.
“I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who is f–king arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him.”
The video seems to refer to a league game Coote refereed between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp publicly criticised Coote after the match, accusing him of not penalising tackles made on Liverpool’s players.
© AAP