Premier League referee David Coote has appeared to be caught on video making foul-mouthed comments about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
In the shocking footage, which was leaked on social media, Coote is allegedly seen speaking with a fellow man. In the brief conversation, he refers to Liverpool as “s***” and extraordinarily uses the word “c***” to describe ex-Reds boss Klopp.
The PGMOL are investigating the video.
Coote, who has been a Premier League referee since April 2018 and hails from Nottinghamshire, was the match referee for Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.
It is unclear what triggered his comments, but Coote was indirectly targeted by Klopp for criticism as recently as last season.
In December 2023, Klopp raged about the officials after seeing a penalty appeal turned down when Martin Odegaard appeared to block Mohamed Salah’s path to the ball by handling in the 18-yard box.
Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue and the game was not halted for a VAR check by the official, with Coote deeming that Odegaard handled the ball while falling which is not classed as an offence.
“Yes I have seen it,” Klopp said. “I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how? I don’t say that the ref can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment.
“But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly it could be worth the referee having another look?”
Coote started refereeing at the age of 16 and officiated matches in the Notts Alliance League, the Northern Counties East Football League, the Northern Premier League and the Conference North. He was later promoted to the Football League list of referees as an assistant referee.
His first game in this role came in a Football League Two game between Stockport County and Hereford United. He was promoted to the list of EFL referees in 2010.
Coote was the man in the middle for the League One play-off final between Leyton Orient and Rotherham United in May 2014. From there, he began rising up the ranks.
In April 2018, Coote officiated his first Premier League game between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, a game which ended as a 1–0 victory to West Brom. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Coote was promoted to PGMOL’s Select Group 1 of referees.
