Former EPL Referee Coote Receives Eight-Week Ban For Klopp Comments

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been handed an eight-week ban by the Football Association for making inappropriate comments about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. The sanction comes after a video from July 2020 surfaced on social media in November 2024, showing Coote making a derogatory remark about the German coach.

Coote had already lost his position at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) due to the incident. The FA's independent Regulatory Commission found Coote guilty of acting improperly and using abusive language towards Klopp, leading to the suspension.

In addition to the ban, Coote must complete a mandatory education program to address the underlying issues that led to his misconduct. UEFA has also imposed a ban on Coote from officiating in European competitions until June 2026, further limiting his prospects of returning to refereeing.

The incident has raised serious questions about match officials' conduct in major international competitions and highlights the high standards expected from referees on and off the pitch.