Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club's former manager Jurgen Klopp was circulated on social media. The video, widely shared on social media, has not been verified by the BBC. It is unclear when it was filmed or its authenticity.
Refereeing body PGMOL says the suspension comes into force with immediate effect and is pending a full investigation. The statement read: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
Two videos have been shared that allegedly capture Coote, 42, calling Klopp “fing arrogant” and a “German c”. The first unverified video, seemingly filmed on a phone and spanning a minute, sees Coote asked for his opinion on an unspecified Liverpool game and then manager Klopp. On Liverpool he says “s***” before adding: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown.
“He accused me of lying and then just had a right fing pop at me. I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone whose fing arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him. (James) Milner’s alright. I get on with Milner.
“You can see me there with mask on. Social distancing — 10 metres apart. But my God, German c***, f*** me.”
A second, shorter video has been attached that stresses the importance of the first clip not being shared.
Coote, from Nottingham, is registered as a Notts County fan and is therefore unable to officiate County or Nottingham Forest matches. He is one of the Premier League’s most-experienced officials and has been refereeing matches in the top flight since 2018. Coote has been a Select One referee, the highest level in the UK, since the 2018-19 season after overseeing his first Premier League game in the previous campaign.
The video being shared appears to refer to a Premier League match that Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which finished 1-1. Klopp criticised Coote after the match, saying the referee failed to give fouls for challenges made on Liverpool's players.
Coote has taken charge of six Premier League fixtures this season, most recently on Saturday refereeing Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield. Referees are required to inform PGMOL of the club they support.
Liverpool's Controversial Encounters with Coote
Liverpool have had a number of high-profile run-ins with Coote in recent years. Rewind to last December and Jurgen Klopp was incensed that Coote, who was on VAR duty, didn’t advise referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the pitch side monitor after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard handled the ball inside the box. A crunch clash between two Premier League title rivals finished 1-1 at Anfield. Klopp said: “I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?”
Referees’ chief Howard Webb subsequently admitted that Coote had made an error and that the penalty should have been awarded. Webb told Sky Sports’ ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’: “All the feedback we got after was very clear – the game expects a penalty in this situation and I would agree. This is one where we didn’t reach the right outcome on that basis.”
Coote was also the VAR when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk went unpunished in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020. Van Dijk ruptured his ACL and was sidelined for nine months. Klopp was perplexed why Coote didn’t urge referee Michael Oliver to take action against Pickford having seen the replays.
The PGMOL's Role and Future Investigation
PGMOL and Liverpool have been approached for comment. PGMOL says it will not be making further comment on the case until its investigation is completed.
While the video is unverified, the allegations against Coote, if true, raise significant questions about the integrity of refereeing in the Premier League. The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from PGMOL, which is responsible for the appointment and training of referees in England. PGMOL must be seen to be taking this matter seriously and ensuring that all referees adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and conduct.
The Premier League has also been approached for comment. The league is expected to issue a statement in due course outlining its position on the matter. The incident is likely to lead to further scrutiny of VAR and the use of technology in football. The Premier League will be keen to ensure that the integrity of the competition is not compromised by the actions of individual referees. It remains to be seen what action, if any, will be taken against Coote following the investigation. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by fans and stakeholders alike.
The latest incident involving Coote is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Premier League in maintaining the integrity of the competition. While the use of VAR has helped to improve the accuracy of decisions, there have been numerous controversial incidents that have raised doubts about the technology's effectiveness. The incident also raises questions about the need for greater transparency and accountability from PGMOL.
The Premier League is already under pressure from fans and stakeholders to improve the standard of refereeing. This incident is likely to exacerbate those calls for change. Only time will tell whether this incident will be a catalyst for meaningful reform in the way that referees are appointed and trained in England.
