Premier League
Who is David Coote? Premier League referee fired after X-rated rant at Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp
Coote has been sacked by the PGMOL after two clips of him abusing Liverpool and Klopp went viral.
When match officials hit the headlines, it’s often for the wrong reasons, although usually as a result of mistakes made on the field of play. On this occasion, however, Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked as a result of an astonishing leaked video in which he launching into an X-rated rant at Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp.
As is often the case nowadays, social media users - in their disbelief - initially questioned whether the clip was real or not, and whether artificial intelligence had somehow got its hands on it.
Coote fired after leaked video goes viral
However, the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), which supplies referees to the Premier League, has ruled that was not the case after a “thorough investigation,” opting to terminate Coote’s employment with them, effective immediately.
The full PGMOL statement confirming the official’s sacking reads:
“Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.
“David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.
“David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”
Who is David Coote?
42-year-old Coote, who hails from Nottinghamshire in the English Midlands, became a Football League referee in 2010, which saw him take charge of matches in the English Championship, League One and League Two.
In April 2018, he officiated in the Premier League for the first time, overseeing West Bromwich Albion’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. He was then permanently promoted to the English top flight before the start of the 2018/19 season.
Since then, he has been the man in the middle for 112 Premier League games, in which he has shown 439 yellow cards (3.9 per fixture) and sent off 13 players (seven second yellow cards, six straight red cards).
In 2024/25, Coote took charge of six Premier League games, the most recent of which was - ironically - Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday (November 9).
Why does David Coote “hate” Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool?
Coote’s gripe with Liverpool is related to incidents which appear to have taken place after the Reds' 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Aston Villa in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, in which he acted as fourth official.
“Liverpool were s**t,” Coote begins, later calling Klopp a “German c**t* when asked by the second man filming. “He accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me, and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody who’s f***ing arrogant”.
In a separate clip, Coote appears to realise his comments could get him into serious trouble: “Just to be clear, that f***ing last video can’t go anywhere, seriously”.
A number of commenters online claimed Coote is a fan of Manchester United, Liverpool’s biggest rivals. However, that has never been confirmed, and the fact he was allowed to officiate the Red Devils’ Premier League games would suggest that is not the case.
The PGMOL have previously stated the official is a supporter of League Two team Notts County, which prevented him from refereeing their matches and those of Nottingham Forest, their city rivals.
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