David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over comments he made about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a video that was leaked online. The FA has confirmed that Coote breached Rule E3.1, which covers improper behaviour including the use of abusive or insulting language. The FA has also labelled it an "aggravated" breach due to a reference made to Klopp’s nationality in the footage. Coote, aged 42, was initially suspended in November 2024 when the video surfaced on social media. In the clip, he made derogatory remarks about both Klopp and Liverpool. Following an internal investigation by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), Coote was officially dismissed from his role a month later. The FA’s charge comes months after his sacking but adds another layer to the controversy surrounding his professional conduct. While this charge focuses on his comments in the video, Coote was previously accused of discussing the possibility of issuing a yellow card to a player before a match. However, those gambling misconduct claims have now been dismissed, with Coote describing the allegations as "false and defamatory." Despite his dismissal, Coote’s case continues to raise questions about the standards expected from top-level referees. He had spent years officiating in the Premier League and other top competitions before his suspension. His future in football remains uncertain, though he is no longer part of the elite referee group. This FA charge marks yet another significant development in Coote's fall from professional grace. Whether he responds formally to the charges remains to be seen.
While the FA has now charged David Coote for misconduct related to a leaked video, his troubles extend beyond England’s domestic game. In February 2025, UEFA handed Coote a suspension, banning him from officiating in any European competition until June 30, 2026. That decision came after a separate video emerged showing Coote sniffing a white powder while he was on official duty during Euro 2024. The UEFA ban underlined the seriousness of his actions and reflected concerns about professionalism and conduct at international tournaments. UEFA’s decision was swift, with Coote immediately removed from consideration for matches across all continental competitions. In January 2025, Coote gave a personal interview where he revealed for the first time that he is gay. He said he had kept his sexuality secret throughout his professional career due to fears of abuse and discrimination within the sport. His revelation was met with mixed responses, but also drew praise from some corners for his honesty and bravery. During the same interview, Coote also admitted to developing a drug habit during his time as a top-level referee. He spoke candidly about his struggles and stated that he has since undergone therapy and is now recovering. His admission added context to the behaviour seen in the video from Euro 2024 and helped explain the personal challenges he had been facing during his career. The combination of personal and professional issues has drastically altered the course of Coote’s career. Once seen as one of the more reliable officials in English football, he is now banned from UEFA matches and out of Premier League duties entirely. His story has become a cautionary tale about the intense pressures that referees face and the importance of mental health support in elite sport.
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