Premier League Referee David Coote Suspended over Alleged Liverpool Video

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.

Refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) says the suspension comes into force with immediate effect and is pending a full investigation.

The purported video, widely shared on social media, has not been verified by the BBC. It is unclear when it was filmed or its authenticity.

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Coote, 42, refereed Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday, November 9, 2024. He is one of the Premier League’s most experienced officials and has been refereeing matches in the top flight since 2018.

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.

Coote, from Nottingham, is registered as a Notts County fan and is therefore unable to officiate County or Nottingham Forest matches.

PGMOL says it will not be making further comment on the case until its investigation is completed.

BACKGROUND

The supposed video appears to date from the 2020-21 season. The person alleged to be Coote is asked by a friend for his opinion of Klopp, the then Liverpool manager, and says:

“Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ng pop at me. I’ve got no interest at speaking to someone who’s f**ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him … My God, German c**t, f*** me.”