David Coote, a Nottinghamshire referee, has decided not to appeal the termination of his contract by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Coote was dismissed earlier this month following the emergence of a video where he made derogatory remarks about Liverpool FC and its former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
PGMOL conducted a thorough investigation into Coote’s conduct, concluding that his actions were in serious violation of his employment contract. His position was deemed “untenable,” and the decision was made to terminate his contract. Despite being given the option to appeal the decision, Coote has chosen not to challenge it.
The Controversial Video and Remarks
The video that led to Coote’s dismissal surfaced publicly on November 11. In it, Coote is seen criticizing Liverpool’s performance in a match where he had been the fourth official. He described the team as “s***” and referred to Klopp using offensive language. When asked why he felt this way, Coote explained that Klopp had previously accused him of lying during a match between Liverpool and Burnley in the COVID-19 lockdown. He added that he had no interest in engaging with Klopp due to his perceived arrogance.
In the video, Coote also made a comment referring to Klopp as a “German c***,” which sparked further controversy. The Football Association launched an investigation into the remarks, particularly concerning whether Coote’s comment violated its rules on aggravated misconduct, given the reference to Klopp’s nationality.
Additional Investigation Into Coote’s Behavior
Alongside the verbal remarks, another video surfaced that seemed to show Coote using a white powder, allegedly during Euro 2024, where he had served as one of the assistant VARs. This incident led UEFA to appoint an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
Coote’s dismissal and the subsequent investigations have placed significant scrutiny on his career. Despite this, PGMOL has expressed continued support for Coote’s personal welfare, even as they emphasized the seriousness of the breach of professional conduct.
