Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the FA for his comments about Jurgen Klopp but no charges have been brought over allegations of gambling misconduct.
A video, which remains unverified, appearing to show Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Klopp was widely circulated on social media in November 2024.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed the termination of Coote’s employment in December, saying that a thorough investigation concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”.
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The full David Coote video that went viral on social media
The FA has now charged the ex-referee for the comments about Klopp, but Coote has been cleared of allegations of gambling misconduct.
Coote was being investigated by the FA for a reported incident in Leeds’ match against West Brom in October 2019. Reports in November suggested Coote booked then-Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski, then messaged a friend saying: “I hope you backed as discussed.” Coote had always strenuously denied the allegation.
An FA statement read: “David Coote has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to comments that he made about Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded around July 2020 which appeared on social media in November 2024.
“It’s alleged that the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words contrary to FA Rules E3.1.
“It’s further alleged that this constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2m as it included a reference – whether expressed or implied – to nationality.
“No charges have been issued in relation to allegations of gambling misconduct against David Coote, which were also fully investigated.”
The FA has not shared a date by which Coote must respond to the charge.
In February, Coote was banned by UEFA until June 30 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for last summer’s Euros.
In January, Coote came out as gay and said that a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp.
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Former Premier League referee David Coote tells Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam he feels ashamed of the incidents which led to his sacking by PGMOL. If you have been affected by some upsetting issues in this video, head to sky.com/viewersupport
In an interview with The Sun, Coote said: “I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular. I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25.
“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that.
“I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well – a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being.
“That’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.”
He added: “I’ve had issues around my self-esteem – and that relates to my sexuality. I’m gay and I’ve struggled with feeling proud of being ‘me’ over a long period of time.
“I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”
Analysis: Second charge is a higher sanction charge
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Geraint Hughes reports that former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association for the derogatory comments he made about Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp in 2020
Sky Sports News’ Geraint Hughes:
“The first charge is a standard, lower-tier charge. The reason there is a second charge is because there is a mention of Klopp’s nationality so it’s an aggravated breach – it’s a higher sanction charge.
“This is not the end of it, these are just charges so we’ll need to know what plea Coote has and what the sanctions are. He has already had a number of sanctions like being an employee of the PGMOL and he was dismissed. He’s also got another year to serve on a UEFA ban for bringing football into disrepute. The FA will be aware of the interviews Coote gave where he reflected on the issues he’s had and gave frank apologies for his conduct.”
Timeline: What led to Coote’s dismissal?
Saturday November 9 2024: Coote referees Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa.
Monday November 11: An unverified video of Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp circulates on social media.
Monday November 11: PGMOL suspends Coote and launches an investigation.
Tuesday November 12: FA begins own investigation into Coote video.
Tuesday November 12: Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb says on Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up that PGMOL is taking the incident “very seriously”.
Thursday November 14: PGMOL aware of new video appearing to show Coote snorting a white powder while reportedly working at Euro 2024.
Wednesday November 27: FA investigating allegations Coote discussed giving a yellow card before a game as reported by The Sun. Coote refutes allegations.
Monday December 9: Coote sacked by PGMOL.
Friday February 28: UEFA bans Coote until June 2026.
Tuesday June 17: Coote charged by FA over Klopp comments but no charges brought over gambling misconduct.
