Season › 2024-25 › General Forum Referee David Coote suspended after video goes viral 11/11/2024 52 Comments [Jump to last] Referee, David Coote, has been suspended by the Premier League pending an investigation into desparaging comments he allegedly made on video about former Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp. In the video, which is unverifed but is being treated by PGMOL as genuine and has been circulating on social media today, Coote discusses Klopp's reaction to his officiating of a match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020. In the minute-long clip, Coote is shown calling Klopp "arrogant", a “German cunt” and his Liverpool team “shit” following a 1-1 draw. Coote is an admitted Notts County fan and is therefore barred from refereeing games involving either of the Nottingham clubs. Reader Comments (52) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Kevin Molloy 1 Posted 11/11/2024 at 15:56:27 The CPS has just opened an investigation Brent. He's looking at 10 years. Rob Halligan 2 Posted 11/11/2024 at 16:31:43 RS fans are now demanding three league titles be given retrospectively due to poor refereeing decisions made by Coote… Kinda feel sorry for Coote… suspended and likely removed altogether from the referees list for telling the truth!! Fred Quick 3 Posted 11/11/2024 at 16:59:18 RobI wonder why the official took charge of the Aston Villa game on Saturday at the other place? if he had something hanging over his head, or did this footage only appear since Saturday? According to whoscored.com, Coote has only taken charge of six games that involved Liverpool and seven games involving Manchester City. He must have some power to influence the outcome of three titles. Christy Ring 4 Posted 11/11/2024 at 19:05:22 David Coote suspended for telling the truth.Foolish man, it was bound to be seen on social mediaBut he's right about Klopp, the big Shergar smile was only a front, he got away with his comments about referees when it didn't go his way. Fred Quick 5 Posted 11/11/2024 at 19:15:28 Christy,As I replied to Rob earlier, I can't understand why a man who has officiated only half-a-dozen matches would lead to the other lot to then claim 3 titles, due to biased refereeing.But then I read it's about his time in the VAR box that's got the other lot dreaming. He was amongst other things, involved as VAR official, in the nasty Pickford against the wholly innocent Dutchman derby. Paul Ferry 6 Posted 11/11/2024 at 19:26:03 What the feck is incorrect and unfair here? David Coote: Jurgen Klopp is “fucking arrogant” and a “German cunt”; a “Cunt. Absolute cunt, he accused me of lying and then just had a right fucking pop at me. And I've got no interest in speaking to someone who's fucking arrogant." Christy Ring 7 Posted 11/11/2024 at 19:38:57 The FA were so lenient on some of his comments about referees, he could give it but not take it. Remember he said to Paul Tierney, "I have no problem with referees only you" — and got away with it, and the famous derby with Pickford blunder in the last minute, and ran onto the pitch? James Flynn 8 Posted 11/11/2024 at 22:29:24 Haha. What an idiot. Then whoever was with him can be heard saying to not let the tape get out!Seriously. Coote needs to find some new friends.And he's an idiot. Mike Connolly 9 Posted 11/11/2024 at 22:47:25 The only thing I could see wrong with the video: He didn't say what a negative cunt Dyche is! Brian Williams 10 Posted 11/11/2024 at 22:52:08 What's he done wrong? Sad times when you can't speak the truth without gettin' into hot water.The only thing missing, which woulda been brill had he said it, is him saying "Oh and Kopites are gobshites by the way." Mike Connolly 11 Posted 11/11/2024 at 23:16:55 LOL Brian Rob Halligan 12 Posted 11/11/2024 at 23:41:28 Brian……Every Single One Of Them!! Mike Gaynes 13 Posted 12/11/2024 at 01:08:30 No wonder he's not a great ref. Probably hasn't had a full night's sleep in four and a half years, figuring that sooner or later that tape was going to jump out and bite him. Seriously, this is a moronic moment for a guy who at the time had been in the Prem for just over two years (after working to get there for 20). Talk about arrogance. I don't have much use for the Mail, but Ian Ladyman is right that Coote has made life a bit more miserable for every ref everywhere:This is exactly what the conspiracy theorists have been waiting for. Coote and his sickly preening vanity has handed it to the mob on a plate. This is their ‘told you so moment and, further down the line, the yearly struggle to recruit referees at all levels of the game has just grown that little bit harder... He has failed every referee who has ever made a wrong call — in other words, all of them. In a world of VAR chaos and at a time when standards never really seem to improve, Coote has gone a long way to stripping away the one remaining layer protecting officials from the mob, their presumed objectivity.The relationship between players, managers and referees is built on mutual trust. It has to be. Usually it is the players we accuse of failing to keep their end of the bargain. But the last image we have of Coote, the last one we may ever have, is that of him waving away a clear red-card foul by Aston Villas Leon Bailey on Mo Salah at Anfield on Saturday.‘No foul was the call and though we all saw it for the mistake that it was, we presumed human error. We did not presume bias, malicious intent or pleasure taken. Now many people will presume exactly that. So there it is, the damage is done.This is the harm rendered by Coote and his desperate piece of iPhone vanity. This is the damage felt all the way to the roots of the game.Wonder what his next career will be. Paul Hewitt 14 Posted 12/11/2024 at 05:13:45 Players and managers abuse refs every matchday. Nothing to see here… and he was right about Klopp and Liverpool. They are exactly what he called them. Alan J Thompson 15 Posted 12/11/2024 at 05:39:48 This just convinces me that refs having to attend "press conferences" after a game would make marvelous TV.Although for a moment, I thought that it might tempt the Premier League Executive to do something about refereeing standards… silly idea, one rule for some and another for others. Ian Jones 16 Posted 12/11/2024 at 06:16:40 Mike, I enjoyed reading your post. Just about sums the situation up. I seem to remember you have refereeing experience.I started reffing approx 40 years ago, at a young age, about 17 years old. I didn't really enjoy the experience. Reffed a few matches from the Junior Leagues to Sunday 'pub' football.O gave up after a few months when I realised I was engineering results based on what I thought of the teams and how they treated me. I spoke to the guy in charge of the ref association who suggested I shouldn't worry as 'we all do that from time to time, it's human nature'.Also, I wasn't so keen on some players having small knives concealed in their socks…Good luck to David Coote Rob Halligan 17 Posted 12/11/2024 at 08:03:48 What amazes me is that a video filmed on a phone over four years ago, is still on that phone. Im assuming the phone belongs to the other person in the video, so Coote must have really upset him for him to release the video. Tony Abrahams 18 Posted 12/11/2024 at 08:54:26 I have said I believe that the game isnt straight with regards the standards of refereeing and the select nature of VAR, for a very long time now, but nothing in Cootes, ridiculously, not very well thought out statement, (possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol?) gives me any reason to say I told you so.Jurgen Klopp, is a bully, and at the time of this incident Liverpool, were playing shite. Everton got a penalty at Anfield, Burnley got a pen at Anfield, and Im sure Liverpool conceded a few more penalties at home that season, with no fans in the ground, which is something that never really happened before and hasnt happened since, either.I think the only penalty Everton have had at Anfield, in my living memory was given with no crowd and yet Lampard got a fine for kind of calling this out, when Anthony Gordon was denied an absolute stonewaller, not long after we got our only pen. Dave Abrahams 19 Posted 12/11/2024 at 09:22:45 Mike (13) Mike you are a referee, maybe you think like a referee, we fans think like fans, not like a mob but individually, and here you have Ian @ (16) being completely honest and saying he let the players and their actions get to him in making decisions and being advised by a much senior referee not to worry because we all do it from time to time its human nature, yet you say “ We did not presume bias” among other things talking about Coote not giving a penalty to Liverpool in the Villa game. I see wrong decisions made every week with exactly the reverse foul being ignored by the same referee while being given to the opposing team! Mark Murphy 20 Posted 12/11/2024 at 09:30:22 “Also, I wasn't so keen on some players having small knives concealed in their socks…”Kirkby by any chance, Ian??Ive played against such a team. Knives in the touchline as well. And it was a schools match.We had to change in the mini bus as they had a gauntlet to the changing rooms waiting for us. Ian Jones 21 Posted 12/11/2024 at 09:40:21 Dave, have to also admit that I captained a junior sunday league team when I was about 16 and our home pitch was at a local mental health institute. One of the in-patients sadly had psychiatric issues but loved football and always wanted to run the line. So we allowed him to be our home linesman and we decided we could defend high up because we had trained him to raise his flag when we shouted offside, which was nearly every time the opposition got across the half way line.:)Refs were mostly fooled by it!VAR would have had a field dayMark, not Kirkby, South West London/Surrey areas.Also, Mark, your changing in a mini bus reminds me of the time I played for a council team and we were instructed to arrive at matches in our kit or change in the cars as the home changing rooms had asbestos. It was ok for the opposition to use the changing rooms. The council just didn't want their employees to sue . Jack Convery 22 Posted 12/11/2024 at 10:06:29 MOTD looking for a new host. Give it to Coote it'll be a hoot. Saying it like it is. Telling Smurphy to shut up. Sending Shearer off for being an arrogant sod. Interviewing Pep and asking him why he's whinging git when they lose. Interviewing Dycje and enquiring how he got his FIFA licence, allowing him to coach. Tony Abrahams 23 Posted 12/11/2024 at 10:34:35 The last penalty that Liverpool conceded at Anfield according to Siri, was against Everton, in February 2021. Nearly four seasons without conceding a penalty at home? I find this stat absolutely incredible, and then my sensible mate just text me to say he cant have a decent conversation with me sometimes, (I said Klopp is a bully) because Klopp is actually the victim🙈Im sure Cootes, was talking about the game when Klopp, was walking down the tunnel towards the doors, shouting at Sean Dyche, who just put his hand up and walked away telling the bully to fuck off? Duncan Ferguson, would have held the door open and used his hand to invite Klopp, to come inside and talk to him, but you know Bullys, they always pick their mark!!! Tony Abrahams 24 Posted 12/11/2024 at 10:50:26 Statmuse has just told me that Liverpool conceded nine penalties during the lockdown season, but it didnt say how many were at Anfield.Howard Webb, another phoney, said Everton were the only crowd to get to him, closely followed by Stoke city🙈 If this is true then there must surely be an unwritten rule, exempting certain stadiums? Cootes is finished, and yes I do wonder why its just come out now Rob? Is it because he never paid his Charlie bill? Is it because poor Jurgen the victim, is no longer managing Liverpool? Either way its out there and it definitely looks like his career, is over now. Danny O'Neill 25 Posted 12/11/2024 at 10:50:29 He is a bully. He is arrogant. He got fined for running onto the pitch for improper conduct at the Anfield derby.I personally think all Cootes is guilty of is his choice of language. Leave out the c-word, I hate that, and maybe not use German. If he's a bit calmer and keeps his head, he can get his point across in a more balanced way.Supporters will hurl abuse, but he's in a position of authority, so has to control himself and the situation. Tony Abrahams 26 Posted 12/11/2024 at 11:06:32 Cootes was on VAR, when Van Dyke, got injured at Goodison, so the Liverpool fans might be right and he might have had a problem with regards Liverpool FC.He was also on VAR, for the last two derby games sending Pawson (very fucking poor son) to the monitor, to check the handball by Michael Keane, (isnt the letter of the law so condescendingly off putting at times? - it is to me, its why Im actually watching a lot less football these days) and also the game at Goodison, when DCL, got a borderline decision chalked off and then they were looking at Branthwaites goal, for an absolute eternity.Imagine listening to the conversations, if these fellas, could get all the different referees - off their heads - and then got them to talk about all the people they dont like? There would be no officials left to referee after the international break if this happened!! Brian Williams 27 Posted 12/11/2024 at 11:22:31 There are rumours now that the video may have been tampered with using AI.Be interesting to see what comes out of it.Personally I think it would be really unfair if he lost his job due to things he'd said to so called friends in a "private" conversation.Having said that now it's out there it might be very difficult for him to referee in the premier league again. Ray Roche 28 Posted 12/11/2024 at 12:57:30 Tony, was Coote on VAR in the Derby when Pawson didnt book and then red card Konate for a second yellow. Whether VAR can intervene for a second yellow and consequently a red, I dont know, but Konate should have walked. Klopp subbed him immediately afterwards.Brian@27If private conversations were made public I imagine a lot of managers would have very red faces. Anthony Hawkins 29 Posted 12/11/2024 at 13:05:15 Whether AI or real, there's strong on-field evidence to suggest a degree of bias and that this video could be a life-like scenario even if proven not to be real.i.e. How many times have we seen the exact same fouls given to some and not others?If it's real, then he lost perspective and was too arrogant himself, thinking no one would find out.The really disappointing aspect is the RS will take it personally, disregarding the affect non-recorded conversations have had on other teams. Fred Quick 30 Posted 12/11/2024 at 13:15:19 Why do PGMOL consistently use the same officials, including members of the VAR team for certain fixtures? That's a recipe for conspiracy theories, in itself. A different set of officials should be used as often as is possible, rather than having so-called 'elite' officials for certain fixtures. James Hughes 31 Posted 12/11/2024 at 13:44:45 I just wonder who and how Coote upset for the video to be released, as his last words are' Boys, this better not get out!' Don't agree with the Ian Ladyman quote as most think LFC are twats anyway and not just us. But he has done another great bit of pearl clutching. Oh my days, that referee chappie just called Mr Klopp a cunt, I feel faint!!!Hypothetical bet is had he said the same things about EFC or Forest then I would say we would have been fined for being unkind to the referee. Tony Abrahams 32 Posted 12/11/2024 at 13:56:15 According to Sports Bible, he was, Ray. Michael Kenrick 33 Posted 12/11/2024 at 14:11:52 Can't we start a Coote Wuz Rite campaign?Get some tee-shirts printed. Free the CooteDon't Give Coote The Boot Rob Halligan 34 Posted 12/11/2024 at 15:01:16 I agree Michael. Coote has been suspended for telling the truth. Bingo is an arrogant cunt, who got away with absolute murder during his time at the RS. From running on the pitch celebrating a goal, to giving the fourth officials down the banks just because something didn't go his way. As soon as something is said against him, that club and its vile fans go into meltdown! COYBFTRSKAGS. Joe McMahon 35 Posted 12/11/2024 at 15:05:35 Rob, as we all know Liverpool FC have their own set of rules, and always will. Len Hawkins 36 Posted 12/11/2024 at 15:31:34 For years the unofficial referees advisor Gerrard was reffing matches in the Rednecks favour and getting away with it. The truth hurts. Ray Robinson 37 Posted 12/11/2024 at 15:43:16 It really doesn't matter whether Coote was right or not – he's done a great disservice to the game of football by fuelling the argument that "all referees have an agenda". Most probably don't but officiating has just become an awful lot harder now.I, as a supporter, can agree with Coote. It's something we all might say down the pub. But for him to allow this video to be even recorded – what sort of idiot is he? He can't officiate again. Ed Prytherch 38 Posted 12/11/2024 at 16:15:32 Jack # 22 - Fucking brilliant. Ray Roche 39 Posted 12/11/2024 at 16:25:36 Tony@32If Coote was on VAR then he did Klopp a huge favour in not drawing Pawsons attention to what would be a red card, which would have seen Konate walk. Klopp didnt say much about that as I recall! Jeff Spiers 40 Posted 12/11/2024 at 16:38:00 I remember playing in the business house league back in the seventies when a taxi drove onto the pitch, the passenger jumped out and gave one of the opposition a "good seeing to". He calmly got back in the taxi, which sped off. Rob Halligan 41 Posted 12/11/2024 at 17:56:19 Talking of amateur football, team I played for had a Sunday County FA junior cup game against the Netley. It Was on county road, but not sure if its still there or not?Anyway, the game was played up in Bootle on Stuart Road. We has about 2 or 3 subs, one of the lads dads, and another lad on our touchline. They had a line the length of the pitch! First half was ok, only because we were losing 2 - 1 at half time. Second half was completely different. We equalised then took the lead. They started getting a bit narky with a few getting booked. We went 4 - 2 up and then it really kicked off. They had four sent off, and every player, including subs, bar one, was booked. Their line started encroaching onto the pitch, and cos I was in goal seemed to be heading in my direction. I remember seeing one or two knives, with the usual threats of “Youre dead at the end “. The referee told our captain that he was going to blow the full time whistle, and tell the rest of us to get our bags, which were on the touchline, and get out of there. Luckily nothing happened, and the only one of theirs either not booked or sent off, came over to us and apologised for what had happened. Needless, the Netley were kicked out of whatever league they were in, I think the Liverpool Sunday league, never to be heard of, or seen again! Danny O'Neill 42 Posted 12/11/2024 at 18:31:30 I played in the Northern Irish league, Rob, and saw my name on the BBC!!I used to get paid. We used to have some tough matches, especially when we went to West Belfast and the opposition realised the two centre-backs were English (one of them me).We played our home matches on the pitches at the Police Headquarters in Belfast. Fantastic pitches. Chelsea used to use them for pre-season.I always remember one match we played against Donegal Celtic. They aren't from Donegal but play in Celtic colours. They refused to use the facilities and turned up off the coach in their kits and went straight to the pitch. They didn't stay for sandwiches or drinks, just straight back on the coach!! Paul Birmingham 43 Posted 12/11/2024 at 18:37:09 Cracking story, Rob. The Netley was about 50 yards to the left of the Oak, towards town, and was decent for a pint in the day. Long since gone and now a fast food joint.In many ways, the game sadly hasn't changed... There's many stories in the non-leagues of players and referees getting assaulted, and of fighting after the games between opposing managers and players in the players' lounge.But let's hope that no Everton, players get injured this week on international duty. Paul Ferry 44 Posted 12/11/2024 at 19:12:18 Brian Williams @27: Having said that now, it's out there; it might be very difficult for him to referee in the Premier League again.Brian, I can think of 19 clubs who would welcome him with open arms and give him a hero's welcome mate! Lyndon Lloyd 45 Posted 12/11/2024 at 20:17:19 The Netley has a proud legacy where the early days of the Internet are concerned. It's where the denizens of the old ToffeeNet/Bluenose mailing lists would meet before and after home games and where the Netley Tactical Assault Squad would plan ticketing for away trips. It was sad when it was no more but its spirit lives on in a WhatsApp group with many of the old gang from back in the day... Tony Abrahams 46 Posted 12/11/2024 at 20:35:45 Ive told you before I think Rob, but after the Netley, got thrown out of the league, they amalgamated with The Sandon, and ended up going through all the divisions before eventually winning the top league a few times. People used to assume it was The Sandon, next to Anfield, but it was actually The Sandon Dock, and I spent many happy years playing for and even managing them on Edinburgh Pk.The dockers was home to three teams, The Sandon, The Canada (A3) and The Seymour, and Im sure it is still remembered very fondly by the same people who must also miss the place at times.Ive shook my head a few times at the outrage this has caused, especially when someone suggested that because Ive been saying the game isnt straight for years and Ive finally been given the proof, he couldnt understand it when I disagreed with him!I used to love The Netley, back in the day Lyndon, and can remember just before it closed how there would just be stacks and stacks of crates of lager behind the bar. £1 a can, and enough beer to last a fortnight, but it would all be gone before the night was over. Great days! Billy Bradshaw 47 Posted 12/11/2024 at 21:17:28 The Netley, many a night spent in their on pints of Double Diamond. Christy Ring 48 Posted 12/11/2024 at 21:19:19 Of course the redshite and Klopp are always the innocent party, the FA nearly always threw the bus at Jose, but Klopp was mister nice guy, who could say what liked and they turned a blind eye, Coote sadly said outloud what everyone else was thinking. Sadly for him there's no coming back from this. Matt B 49 Posted 12/11/2024 at 21:25:19 This is shocking. How could anyone call Klopp that? 😆. Jeff Spiers 50 Posted 12/11/2024 at 22:21:13 Looking back it was amazing how many pitches in Liverpool there was/is. A few spring to this old brain of mine. Clubmoor, Stanley Park, Crawfords, Wavertree, Dwerryhouse, Dockers Club, Newsham Park, Kirkby, Aigburth, Speke, everywhere. And, most of all, the characters that played on them. Great memories Soren Moyer 51 Posted 12/11/2024 at 22:23:17 #Free_Coote! Edward Rogers 52 Posted 12/11/2024 at 22:53:52 Ahhh! Sunday league footy. I remember playing in the Business house league late 70's to mid 80's. We were playing a cup match versus a team from Toxteth, they had dozens watching on the sidelines telling us how S***e we were and what they were going to do to us. We were 2-1 down with a couple of minutes left and I was running onto a pass down the touchline, went past their last man, then noticed a leg appear from the touchline, managed to hurdle over it and thought "I'm in here" only to get pole-axed by a stray hay-maker from the crowd 10 yards further down the line!! The Ref promptly blew for full-time and legged it to his car faster than I thought possible. Happy Days ( I think!!) 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