The Football Association has charged former Premier League referee David Coote over comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Coote was sacked by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) last December after a video emerged of him making derogatory comments about the German head coach.
In the clip, believed to be filmed in July 2020, Coote is heard saying it was “s***” to be fourth official at a Liverpool match that summer – describing Klopp as a “German c***” and “f****** arrogant”.
The FA has now charged Coote with a rule breach in relation to remarks about Klopp’s nationality.
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“It’s alleged that the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words,” an FA spokesperson said.
“It’s further alleged that this constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule 3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality.”
In a statement, the FA added that no charges have been issued in relation to allegations of gambling misconduct against the former referee, “which were fully investigated”.
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He had denied the allegation that he discussed giving a yellow card ahead of a Leeds match in 2019.
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Speaking to The Sun in January, Coote came out as gay and said hiding his sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp and to his drug use.
“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position,” he said. “But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay and that I’ve had real struggles with hiding that.
“I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well – a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.”
Coote was also banned by European football’s governing body, UEFA, in February until June 30, 2026, after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for last summer’s Euros.
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In a statement to Sky News in January, Coote said: “This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me.
“I am truly sorry for any offence caused by my actions and for the negative spotlight it put on the game that I love.
“I hope people will understand that they were private moments taken during very low times in my life. They do not reflect who I am today or what I think.
“My focus now is on continuing to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing. I hope that my experiences, both on and off the field, can be utilised in football at some point in the future.”
