Premier League referee David Coote suspended for outburst at Jürgen Klopp

Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended pending a full investigation after a video appearing to make derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former coach Jurgen Klopp was circulated on social media.

Two clips were posted on an account on

The English Football Association (FA) said it was “aware of the matter” and was conducting its own investigation.

If the authenticity of the video is confirmed, Coote – who refereed Liverpool’s 2-0 home win over Aston Villa on Saturday – appears to have no future as a top-flight referee. There will be no further news from PGMOL, English football’s refereeing body, until the investigation is completed, but Coote will not be available for referee selection or VAR during that time.

Coote, 42, has been a Premier League referee since 2018 and officiated the 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle. He was a FIFA-listed official between 2020 and 2022.

Although he is not on a UEFA referee list, he was a leading VAR alongside Stuart Attwell and was named for Euro 2024.

It is unclear when the video was filmed, but there is evidence that Coote was the fourth official at a Liverpool game earlier in the day and that there was social distancing due to COVID-19.

When asked about Liverpool’s performance in that game, Coote replied: “Liverpool were shit.”

The referee is then asked about Klopp, to which he replies: “C—, absolute c—.”

When asked why he has this opinion, Coote added: “Aside from coming at me really harshly when I played against Burnley in lockdown, he also accused me of lying and then just really harshly attacked me cheered.” And I have no interest in talking to someone so damn arrogant, so I do my best not to talk to him. [James] Milner is fine.

Coote refereed a 1-1 draw for Liverpool at home to Burnley in July 2020

What suggests the video was filmed during lockdown is that Coote then shows a picture of him wearing a mask on the sidelines of a Liverpool game and says: “You can see me there with you.” [a] Mask on. COVID, needs to be done. Social distancing, right? We are 10 meters apart.

Coote then adds another obvious reference to Klopp: “But, oh my God. German c—. F— me.”

The person sat next to Coote and then said: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp is a c—, Liverpool are all bloody Bellends and we hate Scousers.”

In the second, shorter video, Coote says: “Just to be clear, the last bloody video can’t go anywhere, seriously.”

The other person then replies: “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not ruin his career. Let’s face it, we’re good guys, but we can’t ruin a guy’s career, we’re not that bad.” Plus, he’s a fucking legend, so let’s not ruin his career.