Former Premier League referee David Coote has been handed an eight-week suspension by the Football Association for comments made about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on social media, Afrosport reports.
The FA found the 43-year-old guilty of an “aggravated breach” of their rules due to his reference to Klopp’s nationality in the footage.
The video, originally filmed around July 2020 shortly after the first UK COVID-19 lockdown, was leaked online in November 2024.
Coote admitted to the charge and expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging that his remarks were offensive and damaging. The FA noted in its judgment that he showed significant remorse and accepted that his comments were unacceptable.
In addition to the suspension, must also complete a mandatory face-to-face education programme.
Coote had already been suspended in November 2024 when the video first appeared online. He was later dismissed by the Premier League’s refereeing body, PGMOL, in December after an internal investigation.
The fallout from the leaked video adds to a series of controversies involving the former referee. In February, UEFA banned him from officiating European matches until mid-2026, after a separate video surfaced allegedly showing him sniffing a white powder during his duties at Euro 2024.
In January, Coote publicly came out as gay, revealing that he had concealed his sexuality during his career due to fears of backlash.
Although he did not attend the FA hearing, Coote claimed the comments about Klopp were made in a private setting. He also acknowledged that the video, once public, had the potential to cause significant harm to others and to his own reputation.
Earlier this year, Coote was cleared of allegations related to gambling misconduct, after it was suggested he had discussed giving a player a yellow card before a match. He denied any wrongdoing in that case.
