David Coote hit with multiple FA charges as fallout from Liverpool rant continues

David Coote hit with multiple FA charges as fallout from Liverpool rant continues

David Coote was sacked by the PGMOL after a leaked video emerged of him appearing to criticise Liverpool and abuse Jurgen Klopp

Former referee David Coote is interviewed by Sky Sports (Image: Sky Sports )

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been slapped with multiple Football Association charges as a consequence of his expletive-laden rant at Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. A video emerged on social media in November last year in which Coote appeared to call Liverpool "s**t" and Klopp "a German c**t".

Coote was sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) - the body which governs referees - the following month following an investigation in to his conduct after a slew of other allegations emerged in national newspapers.

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The FA had already opened their own investigation into the matter and have now decided to hand out a censure to Coote, who was banned by UEFA in February for his conduct around Euro 2024.

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A statement from the Football Association read: "David Coote has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to comments that he made about Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded around July 2020 which appeared on social media in November 2024.

"It's alleged that the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting world contrary to FA Rule E3.1.

"It's further alleged that this constitutes an 'Aggravated Breach', which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to nationality.

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"No charges have been issued in relation to allegations of gambling misconduct against David Coote, which were also fully investigated."

The video surfaced online just two days after Coote had taken charge of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in November, when the Reds won 2-0.

In the footage, Coote is asked by an unidentified associate what he made of a Liverpool game at which he was recently fourth official. A photo shown later in the video on Coote's phone suggests it was the 7-2 Premier League loss at Aston Villa in October of that year.

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"Liverpool were s***," the video appears to show Coote saying.

And when then asked for his view on Klopp, the reply in the video says: "A c**t, an absolute (unintelligible). Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, when he accused me of lying then just had a right f***ing pop at me, I've got no interest in speaking to somebody who is f***ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. (James) Milner is all right.

"But, my God, a German c***t, f*** me."

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