FA Initiates Inquiry into Video Allegedly Featuring Referee David Coote

The Football Association has initiated its own inquiry into a video that reportedly depicts Premier League referee David Coote employing offensive language when referring to former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The footage includes remarks concerning the Liverpool versus Burnley match in July 2020, which Coote officiated. Coote had previously been suspended by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body for referees, awaiting a comprehensive investigation. Additionally, BBC Sport has learned that the 42-year-old official was removed from an international assignment scheduled for this week. Nevertheless, the content of Coote’s purported remarks is also drawing the FA’s scrutiny. A specific comment reportedly references Klopp’s German nationality, and FA regulations stipulate that nationality is among the factors that could result in an aggravated violation of its rules. In a statement, the FA declared: “We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating it.” The footage, which purportedly shows Coote uttering disparaging remarks about Klopp, was disseminated across social media platforms. The BBC has not authenticated its content, and the exact filming date remains unknown. According to a source who spoke to the BBC, PGMOL’s investigation is proceeding on the assumption that the video is authentic. Coote ranks among the Premier League’s most seasoned officials, having served as a referee in the top division since 2018. The circulating video seemingly references a Premier League fixture Coote presided over between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which concluded with a 1-1 draw. Following that game, Klopp voiced criticism of Coote, asserting that the referee neglected to award fouls for tackles against Liverpool’s players. Within the video, the individual identified as Coote states that Klopp had “a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown”. He further labels Klopp as arrogant and uses expletives multiple times in his references to him. The footage depicts him alongside another man and extends for slightly more than a minute. The conditions under which the video surfaced remain ambiguous. PGMOL has stated it will refrain from making additional comments on the matter until its inquiry is finalized. Mike Dean, a former Premier League referee, expressed that he was “astounded” upon viewing the video and holds the belief that such remarks would be “so out of character for David”. He conveyed to Sky Sports, “It’s damaging for everybody involved.” Dean added, “I think all the way from the top down to the bottom, it will devastate referees from grassroots all the way to the Football League, people trying to get on to that level.” Dean mentioned he had communicated with his former colleague – though he declined to disclose the specifics of their conversation – and further stated, “it will be hard to come back in and start again.” Dean questioned, “Would David still want to carry on refereeing?” He continued, “That’s the bigger picture you’ve got to think of. Does he want to put himself through it yet again to come back in?” Concurrently, a recruitment firm announced it has suspended an employee, identified as Ben Kitt, who seemingly appears in the video alongside Coote. Roheel Ahmad, co-founder of Forsyth Barnes, conveyed in a statement to the PA news agency: “This is something that we are taking very seriously and we have suspended Ben on full pay while we investigate further.” He added, “Although we are still in the process of gathering all the facts, we do know for certain that the video was taken some years before Ben became an employee of Forsyth Barnes.” BBC Sport has sought to reach Kitt, who has not yet provided a comment regarding the situation.