Sacked referee Coote banned by FA over Klopp comments

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David CooteImage source, Getty Images

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David Coote officiated astatine nan 2024 Euros

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been fixed an eight-week suspension by nan Football Association for comments made astir ex-Liverpool leader Jurgen Klopp connected societal media.

Coote, who was sacked by nan Premier League successful December 2024, has been further sanctioned by nan FA for an "aggravated breach" of norm E3.2, because of nan reference he made to Klopp's nationality successful nan video.

The clip, which was filmed astir July 2020, was leaked online successful November 2024.

Coote admitted nan charge.

The FA's written reasons for nan verdict said Coote expressed "deep remorse" and acknowledged his comments were "crass and inappropriate".

As good arsenic his suspension, Coote must acquisition a mandatory face-to-face acquisition programme.

The 42-year-old was initially suspended successful November 2024 erstwhile nan online clip showed him making derogatory comments astir Klopp and Liverpool.

He was sacked a period later by Premier League referees' assemblage nan Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) pursuing an investigation into his conduct.

Coote was besides banned successful February by Uefa from officiating successful European title until 30 June 2026.

A video - abstracted to nan 1 successful which he made reference to Klopp's nationality - emerged successful November of Coote sniffing a achromatic powder erstwhile he was connected work astatine Euro 2024, which is organised by Uefa.

He revealed successful January that he was gay, and had hidden his sexuality during his master profession done fearfulness of abuse.

Coote, who did not be nan hearing, said he thought he was speaking successful a "private" mounting erstwhile he made nan comments astir Klopp and Liverpool.

In June, Coote was cleared of immoderate gambling misconduct pursuing claims that he discussed issuing a yellowish paper to a subordinate anterior to a match.

However, Coote accepted that nan video successful which he made remarks astir Klopp, which was filmed aft nan UK emerged from nan first Covid-19 lockdown successful 2020, was "likely to origin wounded and reputational damage" erstwhile it entered nan nationalist domain.

He said nan pandemic and nan years since had importantly impacted his intelligence health.