Premier League referee David Coote is under investigation after appearing to make foul-mouthed comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
In the shocking footage, which was leaked on social media, Coote is allegedly seen speaking with another male.
In the brief conversation, he refers to Liverpool as ‘s***’ and extraordinarily uses the word ‘c***’ to describe ex-Reds boss Klopp.
The PGMOL are investigating the video and suspended their top-flight official. Their statement reads: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
In the video footage, Coote can be heard swearing multiple times and explains the reasons behind his alleged dislike for Klopp, who left Liverpool in June 2024.
Asked about how Liverpool performed by the other man in the footage, Coote allegedy says: “Erm, Liverpool were s***.” The official is then asked about what he thinks about Klopp, to which he replies: “Klopp’s a c***, an absolute c***.
“Aside from having a right pop at me when I was referee against Burnley during lockdown, then he’s accused me of lying and he has just a right f***ing pop at me and I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f***ing arrogant.
“So I did my best not to speak to him. [Former Liverpool footballer James] Milner’s alright, I get on with [him]…” Coote then gets out his phone appearing to show an image of himself, Milner and Klopp standing on the touchline.
“You can see me there with mask on during Covid and social distancing right? We’re several metres apart. But my god, German c***, f*** me.”
Coote, who has been a Premier League referee since April 2018 and hails from Nottinghamshire, was the match referee for Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.
The pair have been involved in several exchanges in the past. In December 2023, Klopp raged about the officials – which included Coote – after seeing a penalty appeal turned down when Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard appeared to block Mohamed Salah’s path to the ball by handling in the 18-yard box.
Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue and the game was not halted for a VAR check by the official, with Coote deeming that Odegaard handled the ball while falling which is not classed as an offence.
“Yes I have seen it,” Klopp said. “I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how? I don’t say that the ref can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment. But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly it could be worth the referee having another look?”
Coote started refereeing at the age of 16 and officiated matches in the Notts Alliance League, the Northern Counties East Football League, the Northern Premier League and the Conference North. He was later promoted to the Football League list of referees as an assistant referee.
His first game in this role came in a Football League Two game between Stockport County and Hereford United. He was promoted to the list of EFL referees in 2010.
Coote was the man in the middle for the League One play-off final between Leyton Orient and Rotherham United in May 2014. From there, he began rising up the ranks.
In April 2018, Coote officiated his first Premier League game between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, a game which ended as a 1–0 victory to West Brom. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Coote was promoted to PGMOL’s Select Group 1 of referees.
