David Cooste is sucked until June 2026. For breaching provisions of his contract. Image: Fabrizio Romano on X
David Coote, the disgraced former Premier League referee, was charged by the Football Association on Tuesday for his derogatory remarks towards former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The 43-year-old was fired by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) in December 2024, after a video of him disparaging Klopp and Liverpool in 2020 went viral on social media the month before.
Klopp’s German nationality was mentioned in one of those comments, which the FA claimed was a “aggravated breach” of its regulations. Coote vehemently rejected the separate claims of gambling wrongdoing, and the FA declared he would not be subject to any further discipline. According to the FA, the claims had been thoroughly looked into.
In November, a video purportedly taken during Euro 2024 showed Coote taking white substance. UEFA, the organisation that oversees European football, suspended Coote from officiating until June 2026 earlier this year.
Coote came out as gay in an interview in January and claimed that his inability to conceal his sexual orientation had led to poor decisions. He expressed his sincere regret for any offence he may have caused.
Coote began officiating at the age of sixteen. He served as a referee in the Northern Premier League, the Northern Counties East Football League, the Nottingham Alliance League, and the Conference North before being elevated to assistant referee on the Football League’s list of referees. He played his debut game in this capacity in a League Two match between Hereford United and Stockport County. In 2010, he received a promotion to the Football League referees list. Coote officiated Leyton Orient vs. Rotherham United in the 2014 League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May of that year.
He officiated his first Premier League match on April 28, 2018, between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion. West Brom won 1-0. Coote was elevated to Select Group 1 prior to the 2018–19 season. On February 14, 2023, Coote was chosen to oversee the 2023 EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United, which Manchester United ultimately won 2-0.
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