Izuchukwu OkosiThe English FA on Tuesday announced that sacked referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association for comment made about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a video that was leaked on social media.
The 42-year-old was suspended in November 2024 after the clip showed him making derogatory comments about the German.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCoote was subsequently sacked a month later by the Premier League referees’ body – Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following an investigation into his conduct.
The FA has charged Coote in relation to rule E3.1 which alleges he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words.
The FA added that reference to Klopp’s nationality in the video constituted an “aggravated” breach.
Coote has however been cleared of any wrongdoing in gambling misconduct following claims that the referee had discussed issuing a yellow card to a player before the kickoff of a match.
Coote is from Nottinghamshire in the UK and had denied the gambling misconduct claims, saying the allegation was “false and defamatory”.
In February, Coote was banned by UEFA from officiating in European competition until 30 June 2026.
A video of Coote sniffing a white powder when he was on duty at Euro 2024, which is organised by UEFA, emerged in November.
Coote revealed in January that he was gay, and had hid his sexuality during his professional career through fear of abuse.
Coote admitted to the Sun newspaper (UK) that he had developed a drug habit, but had overcome that through therapy.
Coote is said to be into private business these days and is unlikely to be back to match officiating.
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Coote faced investigation for a reported incident in Leeds’ match against West Brom in October 2019. Reports in November suggested Coote booked then-Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski, then messaged a friend saying: “I hope you backed as discussed.” Coote had always strenuously denied the allegation.
An FA statement read: “David Coote has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to comments that he made about Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded around July 2020 which appeared on social media in November 2024.
“It’s alleged that the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words contrary to FA Rules E3.1.
“It’s further alleged that this constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2m as it included a reference – whether expressed or implied – to nationality.
“No charges have been issued in relation to allegations of gambling misconduct against David Coote, which were also fully.”
David Coote first refereed a game in the Premier League in April 2018.
He was born in Nottinghamshire and previously officiated in the Football League
Coote is registered as a Notts County fan with PGMOL.
The embattled official refereed the Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle in 2023.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
