Former Premier League referee David Coote has been handed an eight-week suspension and ordered to attend an education programme following disparaging comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The punishment was issued after it emerged that Coote had made inappropriate remarks referencing Klopp’s German nationality in a video recorded back in 2020. The incident was deemed an “aggravated breach” of Football Association rules, prompting further disciplinary action.
Coote had already faced significant professional consequences before this ruling. He was dismissed from his role with the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) in December 2024, after the video began circulating widely on social media the previous month. The footage not only contained comments about Klopp and Liverpool but also coincided with other controversies involving Coote.
In November 2024, another video appeared online showing Coote snorting a white powder, reportedly during Euro 2024. Although this incident was not directly linked to the FA’s ruling on the Klopp remarks, it added to the negative publicity surrounding the former referee.
Coote was charged by the FA in June 2025. At that time, the governing body confirmed he would not face further action regarding separate allegations of gambling misconduct, which had been fully investigated and dismissed.
In its written verdict, the FA stated that Coote had expressed “deep remorse” and admitted that his comments were “crass and inappropriate.” The mandated education programme is intended to address the nature of his remarks and prevent similar behaviour in the future.
Beyond domestic sanctions, Coote’s officiating career has also been curtailed at the European level. Earlier this year, UEFA imposed a ban preventing him from taking part in any officiating activities until June 2026.
In a candid interview earlier this year, Coote revealed that he is gay and discussed how his struggle to hide his sexuality had affected his mental health and contributed to poor decisions in his personal and professional life. While he acknowledged that these challenges did not excuse his behaviour, he said they played a role in his judgement lapses.
The eight-week FA ban further closes the door on Coote’s once-prominent refereeing career, underscoring the importance of professionalism and respect in football, both on and off the pitch.
