Premier League Referee David Coote Suspended Following Alleged Remarks About Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool

Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after a controversial video surfaced on social media, allegedly showing him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp and the team itself. In the clip, Coote appears to refer to Klopp with a slur and expresses disdain for Liverpool, describing the team in derogatory terms. The suspension of Coote, who officiated Liverpool's recent 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, was confirmed by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) pending a thorough investigation.

The video, reportedly recorded during the 2020-21 season, allegedly captures Coote discussing Klopp’s behavior during a previous match between Liverpool and Burnley, which ended in a 1-1 draw as part of the 2020 Project Restart. Coote reportedly described Klopp as “arrogant” and accused the manager of having previously accused him of dishonesty. In the clip, a man believed to be Coote refers to Klopp with a slur and criticizes Liverpool's performance, calling them “shit.”

This controversial conversation allegedly took place in a casual setting, where Coote’s friend appears to have recorded the exchange on a mobile phone. In a second video, Coote purportedly urges the friend not to share the recording, saying, “Just to be clear, that last video can’t go anywhere, seriously,” but the video was subsequently shared online.

David Coote's Role in Premier League Officiating

David Coote is an experienced English referee who has been officiating in the Premier League since 2018. Known for his level-headed approach on the pitch, he has been in charge of high-stakes games, often in the role of main referee or as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Coote’s career has included a handful of Liverpool games, with his decisions sometimes sparking controversy. In December 2022, Coote was the VAR for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal, a match where Klopp publicly criticized an unawarded penalty following an apparent handball by Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard. PGMOL chief Howard Webb later confirmed it should have been a penalty, intensifying scrutiny of Coote’s calls.

Coote has officiated eight Liverpool games in total, seven of which took place while Klopp was managing the team. Although Liverpool has won five of those games, contentious moments and missed calls have occasionally put him at odds with Klopp and the club’s fans.

The Fallout and PGMOL’s Response

Following the emergence of the video, PGMOL released a statement confirming Coote’s suspension pending investigation. “PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete,” the statement read. Liverpool have opted not to comment, respecting the ongoing investigation process. Head of referees Howard Webb is scheduled to appear on Sky Sports’ Match Officials: Mic’d Up to provide insight into officiating decisions, though it remains unclear if Coote’s suspension will be discussed.

The incident highlights a growing concern over professionalism and conduct among officials in the Premier League, especially as their actions and statements are held to high standards due to the public’s access to social media. With Coote’s status under review, the investigation will likely focus on maintaining the integrity of officiating in one of the world’s most-watched sports leagues.