A video allegedly showing Premier League referee David Coote making offensive remarks about Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s former manager, has surfaced, leading to controversy and a formal investigation. In the video, Coote, 42, is purportedly recorded disparaging Klopp and expressing a strong dislike for Liverpool. The video reportedly shows Coote speaking with a friend, who asks for his opinion on Liverpool’s recent performance. Coote allegedly responds, “Liverpool were s**t,” using explicit language.
When the topic turns to Klopp, Coote’s tone reportedly becomes harsher, using profanities to criticize the former Liverpool manager. According to reports, he mentions officiating a game between Liverpool and Burnley during the lockdown period and alludes to moments in that match. Another person in the recording can allegedly be heard voicing contempt not only for Klopp but for Liverpool and “Scousers” in general. Towards the end of the video, Coote supposedly asks his friend not to share the footage, apparently aware of the potential impact on his career. However, despite his warnings, the footage was released, quickly gaining attention online. A follow-up clip shows a second person advising Coote’s friend to refrain from spreading the footage, cautioning it could “ruin his career.”
The authenticity of the video is still in question, with some speculating it might have been AI-generated, though there has been no confirmation of this. Nevertheless, if the video is genuine, it could cast serious doubt on Coote’s neutrality as a Premier League referee. His history of contentious decisions in Liverpool matches, including a recent incident in which he ruled a tackle by Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey on Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as non-foul, is now being scrutinized with renewed interest. Coote also served as the VAR official during Liverpool’s game against Everton in October 2020, when Everton’s Jordan Pickford’s tackle led to Virgil van Dijk’s ACL injury. Coote’s decision to avoid penalizing Pickford in that incident led to widespread criticism of his judgment and objectivity.
Following the video’s emergence, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), the body overseeing English referees, launched an investigation and has suspended Coote while it examines the matter. Ben Jacobs confirmed the investigation, and PGMOL announced the suspension of Coote pending the investigation’s outcome. This development comes amid broader concerns about referees’ professionalism and impartiality, with PGMOL under pressure to address potential biases that could affect their credibility. The investigation’s outcome could have significant consequences for Coote’s future as a Premier League referee and potentially impact the integrity of officiating standards in the league if such remarks are confirmed.
