Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending a full investigation after a video was circulated on social media that appeared to show him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp.
Two clips were posted on an account on X in which Coote is apparently sat on a sofa next to an unidentified male, who asks questions about Liverpool and Klopp.
The English Football Association (FA) has said it is “aware of the matter” and conducting its own investigation.
If the video is verified as being genuine, Coote — who was the referee for Liverpool’s 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Saturday — would appear to have no future as a top-flight referee. There will be no further update from PGMOL, the refereeing body for English football, until the investigation has been completed, but Coote will be unavailable for selection as a referee or a VAR during this time.
Coote, 42, has been a Premier League referee since 2018 and took charge of the 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle. He was a FIFA-listed official between 2020 and 2022.
While not on a UEFA list as a referee, he has, alongside Stuart Attwell, been a lead VAR and was appointed to Euro 2024.
It is unclear when the video was filmed, but there is reference to Coote being the fourth official on a Liverpool game earlier in the day and COVID social distancing.
When asked about Liverpool’s performance in the game, Coote replies “Liverpool were s—.”
The referee is then asked about Klopp, to which he responds: “C—, absolute c—.”
Asked why he has this opinion, Coote adds: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I was reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right f—ing pop at me. And I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody as f—ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner’s all right.”
Coote officiated a 1-1 draw for Liverpool at home to Burnley in July 2020
What suggests the video was filmed during lockdown is that Coote then shows a picture of him in a mask on the touchline at a Liverpool game, and says: “You can see me there with [a] mask on. COVID, gotta be done. Social distancing, right? We’re 10 metres apart.”
Coote then adds in another apparent reference to Klopp: “But, oh my god. German c—. F— me.”
The individual sat alongside Coote then said: “Long story short, Jürgen Klopp’s a c—, Liverpool are all f—ing bellends, and we hate Scousers.”
The second, shorter video sees Coote say: “Just to be clear, that f—ing last video can’t go anywhere, seriously.”
The other person then responds: “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f—ing ruin his career. Let’s face it, we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career, we’re not that bad. Also he’s a f—ing legend. So let’s not ruin his career.”