The Football Association (FA) has now launched an investigation into Premier League referee David Coote after a controversial video surfaced on social media on Monday. In the video, Coote allegedly makes expletive-laden comments about Liverpool Football Club and their former manager, Jurgen Klopp. While the footage remains unverified, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) had already suspended Coote and opened their own inquiry into the matter.
This dual investigation places Coote, a Premier League official since 2018, under intense scrutiny. The FA confirmed their involvement, releasing a statement saying, “We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating it,” according to the BBC.
Coote’s suspension comes shortly after he officiated Liverpool’s recent 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield. He has also been in charge of other Liverpool matches this year, including their wins over Brighton & Hove Albion in March and Fulham in January.
In the circulating video, Coote appears to make disparaging and foul-mouthed remarks about Klopp, who departed Liverpool in the summer. PGMOL addressed the issue in their own statement on Monday, saying, “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete.”
Both the FA and PGMOL investigations highlight the serious nature of the allegations as Coote’s future as a top-flight official remains uncertain.
