Former Premier League referee David Coote has been banned from all football activity for eight weeks after using abusive language about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online.
The Football Association (FA) said Coote must also complete a “face-to-face education programme” following an “aggravated breach” of its rules, as his remarks included a reference to Klopp’s nationality.
In the video, recorded around July 2020 and shared on social media in November 2024, Coote referred to Klopp as a “German c***” and “f****** arrogant.” The FA noted that while Coote expressed “deep remorse” and apologised directly to Klopp, the comments were “crass” and “inappropriate” and in serious breach of his employment contract.
Coote has apologised to Klopp, the FA, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and the wider football community. He said the remarks did not reflect his true feelings and that he holds “deep professional respect” for Klopp.
Earlier this year, UEFA banned Coote until June 2026 over a separate incident in which footage emerged of him snorting a white powder while in Germany for Euro 2024. Coote came out as gay this year, saying a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality contributed to the rant.
The FA confirmed that he had been cleared of unrelated gambling allegations earlier this summer.