A recently surfaced video has reportedly captured Premier League referee David Coote in a profanity-laced tirade about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, sparking controversy and scrutiny over Coote’s impartiality. In the video, Coote allegedly uses offensive language to criticize Klopp and Liverpool, which could further complicate his reputation due to prior contentious decisions involving Liverpool games.
Coote, a 42-year-old referee, has been involved in several contentious officiating moments concerning Liverpool. For instance, he recently officiated Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa, in which he chose not to call a foul on Leon Bailey for a last-man challenge on Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah—a decision that many viewed as highly questionable. This incident added to a history of his disputed calls against Liverpool, including a particularly notable one in October 2020. During that game, Coote served as the VAR official when Everton’s Jordan Pickford injured Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk with a tackle that went unpunished, even though the injury ultimately sidelined van Dijk for an extended period due to an ACL tear. Coote’s role in these incidents has since left many Liverpool fans doubtful of his ability to remain neutral.
The newly circulated footage, obtained by Liverpool fan site Empire of the Kop, appears to show Coote responding to a friend’s question about Liverpool’s performance with a dismissive, “Liverpool were s**t.” When the topic turned to Klopp, Coote allegedly continued with even harsher language, referencing specific matches, including an encounter against Burnley during the pandemic lockdown, in which he felt Klopp had been overly critical of refereeing decisions. Another person in the clip reportedly shares similarly negative views on Klopp, Liverpool, and even makes derogatory comments about Scousers, the term often used to describe Liverpool residents. In a later part of the video, Coote or someone resembling him is heard asking that the footage not be shared publicly, while another person warns him against actions that could damage his career—a warning evidently ignored.
The authenticity of the video remains under debate. Some have questioned if it could be artificially generated, though there is no definitive confirmation of this. However, if proven real, the video may cast serious doubt on Coote’s objectivity as a Premier League referee. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees officiating standards, has taken the matter seriously. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, PGMOL has launched an investigation into Coote’s conduct, leading to Coote’s suspension while they assess the situation.
If the comments in the video are verified, they could significantly impact Coote’s standing, as such expressions of bias could undermine public confidence in the fairness and neutrality expected from Premier League referees.
