Premier League Referee David Coote Dismissed After Offensive Remarks About Jurgen Klopp
David Coote, a Premier League referee, has been dismissed following the emergence of videos showing him making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has terminated the contract of Premier League referee David Coote after a thorough investigation into his conduct. The decision follows the circulation of videos on social media in which Coote made offensive remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and appeared to engage in inappropriate behavior.
In one video, Coote referred to Klopp using derogatory language, calling him an 'arrogant German c***' and criticizing Liverpool Football Club. Another video allegedly shows Coote snorting a white powder, purportedly during the Euro 2024 tournament, where he served as a video assistant referee.
PGMOL initiated an investigation upon becoming aware of these videos. After concluding the inquiry, they determined that Coote's actions constituted a serious breach of his employment contract, rendering his position untenable. Consequently, his contract was terminated with immediate effect. Coote retains the right to appeal the decision.
Additionally, the Football Association (FA) is conducting a separate investigation into allegations that Coote discussed issuing a yellow card to a player before a Championship match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019. This inquiry aims to assess potential violations of betting regulations and match integrity.
Coote, 42, has officiated in the Premier League since 2018, overseeing numerous high-profile matches. His dismissal underscores the stringent standards of professionalism and integrity expected of match officials at the highest levels of football.