LONDON (BN24) — Former Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended for eight weeks by the Football Association and ordered to complete an education program after making disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
The FA announced Tuesday that Coote’s comments, captured in a video that surfaced on social media in November, constituted an aggravated breach of Rule E3.2 because they referenced Klopp’s German nationality. The remarks, dating back to 2020, were described by Coote as “crass and inappropriate,” with the 41-year-old expressing “deep remorse” during the disciplinary process.
Coote was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd in December, shortly after the footage emerged. The FA charged him in June, confirming at the time that no further action would be taken over separate gambling misconduct allegations he denied following a full investigation.
His career faced further setbacks in November when a separate video appeared to show him snorting white powder during Euro 2024, prompting UEFA to issue a ban from officiating until June 2026.
Earlier this year, Coote publicly came out as gay, saying that the strain of concealing his sexuality had played a role in past poor decisions.
