Premier League referee David Coote dumped by UEFA

Premier League referee David Coote has been dismissed by UEFA after a video surfaced showing him making a derogatory remark about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

The footage, which quickly went viral, captured Coote calling Klopp a “German c***.”

The incident has caused a significant backlash, leading to Coote’s suspension by the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) while an investigation is underway.

The scandal has now escalated further, with UEFA standing him down from his upcoming Nations League duties.

David Coote had recently been on VAR duty for the Champions League match between PSV Eindhoven and Girona and was considered one of the top referees in England.

However, his career now hangs in the balance as he faces potential dismissal, with the outcome of a full investigation pending.

Coote has privately confirmed to his superiors that the video is authentic.

The Football Association (FA) is also expected to conduct its own investigation into the incident, and the use of Klopp’s nationality in the slur could lead to even more severe consequences for the referee.

The PGMOL are working to determine the video’s origin, the circumstances surrounding its recording, and the appropriate next steps.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, now a Sky Sports pundit, has weighed in, stating that the scandal has caused significant damage to the reputation of referees.

Dean, who has been in contact with David Coote since the video’s release, acknowledged that his former colleague now faces a difficult challenge in trying to salvage his career.

Dean told Sky Sports: “He’ll be devastated, it’s damaging for everyone involved. I texted him yesterday just to see how he was, he replied with a message which I wouldn’t share.

“I don’t think it’s damaged his career beyond repair.

“It’s something that’s never happened before and the PGMOL will have to have a very close look at what’s happened.

“What was said, how it happened, where he was when he did the video and I’d like to think that they can come to some kind of agreement. It’s also down to David, it depends on David, would he want to carry on because it doesn’t just affect him but his friends and his family as well.

“So does he want to put himself through it again, start refereeing again whether it’s the Championship, then get back into the Premier League but it will be hard to come back.

“He’ll be devastated, most of the referees will be devastated that someone has gone and done this video. Then to release it three or four years after it has supposedly been done but I’m very surprised by that.

“I think referees, assistants, coaches would have reached out to him and I think it’s something that’s never happened before. I’ve got a rough idea of what the process is and it’s one of those things that you never expect to see.

“You might see one or two things in general chat with colleagues but you don’t put something like this on video.

“He obviously says this video can never come out, you just hope it never does and unfortunately for David, it has come out three or four years if it’s verified.”

Read more: Ruben Dias warns Liverpool and Arsenal not to write Manchester City off

Louis Saha claims Liverpool will not be as big as Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand believes Ruben Amorim about Ruud van Nistelrooy Man Utd decision