LONDON – Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over offensive remarks made about ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, including a comment referencing his nationality.
Coote, 42, who was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) in December 2024, now faces disciplinary action after a 2020 video resurfaced online last November showing him making disparaging comments about Klopp and Liverpool. The FA confirmed Tuesday that the nature of his remarks constitutes an “aggravated breach” of its rules, particularly because of the reference to Klopp’s German heritage.
While Coote has been charged over the discriminatory comments, the FA stated that he will face no further action over separate gambling allegations, which he had consistently denied. The allegations were fully investigated and dismissed, according to the FA.
The controversy escalated late last year when a separate video appeared to show Coote snorting a white substance, reportedly during Euro 2024. That incident led UEFA to impose a ban on Coote from officiating in any of its competitions until June 2026.
In a January interview, Coote publicly came out as gay, revealing that years of hiding his sexuality had played a role in some of the poor decisions he had made. He offered a public apology, saying he was “truly sorry for any offence caused.”
Coote’s fall from grace has marked a rare scandal involving an English top-flight official, raising broader concerns around professionalism and conduct within football officiating circles.
