Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) announced the suspension but has refrained from further comment until the investigation concludes.Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
The suspension follows the emergence of a video in which Coote allegedly makes derogatory remarks about Liverpool Football Club and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp. In the video, Coote reportedly refers to Liverpool as “s***” and uses an expletive to describe Klopp. The footage appears to have been recorded several years ago but surfaced recently, leading to the current disciplinary action.
Coote has been a Premier League referee since 2018, officiating numerous high-profile matches. His career has not been without controversy. In October 2020, Coote was the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton. He faced criticism for not recommending a red card for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after a challenge that resulted in a serious injury to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk. This incident led to questions about Coote’s decision-making and understanding of VAR protocols.
In November 2020, Coote was removed from VAR duties for a match between Liverpool and Leicester City, following the aforementioned controversy. This decision was seen as a response to the criticism he faced for his role in the Merseyside derby.
More recently, in October 2024, Coote was the on-field referee for a Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United. He awarded a late penalty to West Ham after consulting VAR, a decision that was widely criticized and deemed incorrect by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel. This controversial decision contributed to the sacking of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Coote’s suspension highlights the importance of impartiality and professionalism among match officials. The PGMOL’s swift action indicates a commitment to maintaining the integrity of officiating in English football. The outcome of the investigation will likely have significant implications for Coote’s future in refereeing.
In summary, David Coote’s suspension stems from a video in which he allegedly made derogatory comments about Liverpool FC and Jürgen Klopp. This incident, combined with previous controversies in his officiating career, has led to a full investigation by the PGMOL. The football community awaits the results of this investigation to understand the full context and potential consequences for Coote’s professional standing.
