Referee David Coote, who insulted Klopp and Liverpool, banned by UEFA until 2026

Referee David Coote, who insulted Klopp and Liverpool, banned by UEFA until 2026

English referee David Coote has been banned by UEFA until June 30, 2026, European football’s governing body said on Friday.

Coote was fired by English football’s refereeing body in December after a video was posted online of him making offensive comments to friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.

UEFA also launched an investigation into Coote following another video appearing to show him snorting white powder in an incident that allegedly happened during last year’s European Championship.

In the latest decisions published by UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body, it said Coote was banned from any UEFA refereeing activity for violating the “basic rules of decent conduct” and bringing “the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.”

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In an interview last month, Coote apologised for the actions. He also came out as gay and said that the pressure of the job and fear of abuse due to his sexuality triggered his behaviour.

The 42-year-old Coote, who officiated more than 100 top-flight games, said fear of coming out as gay led him to turn to drugs and added that he “was not sober” at the time of the video.

“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that,” Coote told the Sun.

Published on Feb 28, 2025