David Coote charged by FA over abusive Jürgen Klopp comments

The former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged by the Football Association over remarks made about Jürgen Klopp that triggered his fall from grace.

A video in which Coote was filmed criticising Klopp, including calling him a “German cunt”, were posted online in November and led to the 42-year-old being suspended from his role as a top-flight official before further revelations led to him being sacked the following month.

The FA has now charged Coote over the remarks, with the claim that he “acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words” in breach of FA Rule E3.1. Furthermore, the alleged reference to Klopp’s nationality means Coote will be charged with an “aggravated” offence under the FA’s rules and, if found guilty, is likely to be punished with a financial sanction.

Coote did, however, avoid any charges relating to claims that he agreed to issue a yellow card to a player before a match. Coote denied that allegation, describing it as “false and defamatory”. The FA will not pursue any charges of gambling misconduct against him.

The video that provoked the charges appears to date from the 2020-21 season. Coote was filmed while talking with a man in what appears to be their sitting room and he is asked for his opinion of Klopp, the then Liverpool manager. Coote replies: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right fucking pop at me. I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s fucking arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him … My God, German cunt, fuck me.”

Coote was suspended shortly after the publication of that video, before further videos and images – including a clip which apparently showed Coote snorting cocaine – led to Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) terminating his contract in December. In January, Coote gave an interview to the Sun in which he said that his closeted sexuality had led to a “whole course of behaviours”, including taking drugs.

The following month Coote was suspended by Uefa from officiating in European competition until 30 June 2026.