The PGMOL have suspended David Coote after a video emerged of the Premier League referee unleashing a foul-mouthed rant about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
In the footage, Coote appears to defame Klopp with explicit and inflammatory language, raising serious concerns over his professional conduct and impartiality as an official in England’s top football division.
Video Leak of David Coote’s Explosive Comments
The leaked video shows Coote engaging in conversation with a friend, who prompts him for his opinion on Liverpool’s recent performance (at the time the video was recorded).
David coote ladies and gentlemen pic.twitter.com/WDHc36a7Mn
— Josh (@Josh97LFC) November 11, 2024
Coote responds dismissively, saying, “Liverpool were s**t.”
However, the tone escalates quickly when he’s asked for his opinion on Klopp. Coote proceeds to launch a tirade against the German manager, using an array of expletives and demeaning terms.
Among other remarks, Coote calls Klopp a “c**t” and “f***ing arrogant”, before continuing to berate the former Liverpool coach, whom he describes as a “German c**t.”
The person alongside Coote in the video then adds fuel to the fire, expressing a shared animosity towards Liverpool and its supporters, saying, “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c**t, Liverpool are all f***ing bellends, and we hate Scousers.”
In a follow-up clip, Coote reportedly requests that the footage not be shared, fearing it could “ruin his career,” but the video has since circulated widely online.
PGMOL Statement: David Coote Suspended
Just over an hour after the video was circulating, the PGMOL released a statement confirming that they have suspended Coote while they undergo 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.
PGMOL statement
"David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) November 11, 2024
The FA and the Premier League have clear guidelines and codes of conduct for referees, and breaches of these can lead to disciplinary action.
While it remains to be seen how the scandal will affect Coote’s career long-term, it’s evident that the remarks have already done considerable damage to his reputation.
The leaked video has sparked a backlash among Liverpool fans and a broader debate about the accountability and behaviour of Premier League referees.
David Coote’s Controversial History With Liverpool
The leaked video has resurrected fans’ memories of other high-profile incidents involving Coote’s officiating in Liverpool matches.
Most notably, Coote served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the heated Merseyside derby in October 2020, when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s dangerous tackle on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk went unpunished, resulting in a significant ACL injury for the Dutch defender.
Coote faced fierce criticism from Liverpool fans and pundits for his handling of the situation.
Coote also recently officiated Liverpool’s match against Aston Villa, where he chose not to penalise Villa’s Leon Bailey for a last-man challenge on Mo Salah.
While Liverpool ultimately won the game, this decision added to the frustration of fans who already perceived Coote’s rulings to be overly lenient towards Liverpool’s opponents.
