Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after video footage surfaced on social media in which he made derogatory comments about Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and the club itself. The video, which appears to be from the 2020-21 season, shows Coote venting frustration with Klopp after a 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Burnley during the Project Restart period in 2020. In the video, Coote is heard calling Klopp “arrogant” and accusing him of lying following a confrontation between the two. Coote goes on to use explicit language, referring to Klopp as a “German cunt” and describing Liverpool’s performance in the match as “shit.”
The video, which was filmed by a friend of Coote’s, also includes a broader, offensive remark about Liverpool fans, with the friend seemingly affirming that Klopp and the club’s supporters are “all fucking bellends” and that they “hate Scousers.” Coote is also seen in a separate video asking viewers not to share the recording, with his friend urging caution to avoid ruining Coote’s career.
The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) quickly responded to the incident by suspending Coote with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into the matter. PGMOL has not provided further details, stating that they would not comment further until the investigation is complete.
The footage emerged during a time when Coote was involved in refereeing a high-profile Premier League match Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, just days before the video came to light. The video clip dates back to a period when Coote was officiating in several high-profile matches, including a 7-2 loss for Liverpool at Aston Villa in October 2020, where he was present on the touchline during the game. It was also during this time that Coote was involved in several contentious VAR decisions that caused tension between him and Klopp. One such instance was in December 2020 when Coote was the video assistant referee (VAR) for a 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal, where a potential penalty for a handball by Martin Ødegaard was not given. Klopp voiced his frustration over the decision, and the chief refereeing officer of PGMOL, Howard Webb, later admitted that a penalty should have been awarded.
The footage shows Coote recounting an incident during the Burnley match when Klopp confronted him about a decision, accusing him of lying and criticizing his officiating. Coote, clearly irritated, expressed his desire to avoid interacting with Klopp, referring to him as “arrogant” and stating that he had “no interest” in speaking to someone with such an attitude. The video captures Coote’s unfiltered emotions, making it clear that his frustrations with Klopp and the Liverpool team extended beyond the specific incident to a broader disdain for their behavior.
Liverpool, for their part, have remained silent on the matter while the investigation is ongoing. The club has refrained from making any public statements, in keeping with the ongoing inquiry into Coote’s comments. It is understood that Liverpool had issues with Coote’s officiating in several matches, but Klopp has typically refrained from criticizing the referee publicly. In the aftermath of the 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, for instance, Klopp expressed frustration with the lack of VAR involvement but did not directly blame Coote for the defeat.
The incident has caused a significant stir in English football, with many questioning the conduct of referees and their ability to maintain impartiality when dealing with managers and players. Referees are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, both on and off the field, and incidents like these undermine the trust between officials, players, and managers.
As the investigation into Coote’s conduct continues, it remains to be seen what steps PGMOL will take in response to the incident. There could be further disciplinary action, depending on the findings of the inquiry, and it may lead to changes in how referees handle interactions with managers and players, both in public and in private settings. While Coote’s comments may have been made in a private context, they are reflective of broader frustrations that can arise in high-pressure situations, particularly in a league as competitive as the Premier League. However, whether this will have long-term repercussions on his career or the culture within professional refereeing remains to be seen.
