FA imposes eight-week ban on former referee Coote for Klopp comments

LONDON: David Coote, a former Premier League referee, was sanctioned and awarded an eight-week ban by the Football Association on Tuesday. The decision against him stemmed from comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in a video statement that went viral last year.

Coote had been sacked by English soccer referees’ body PGMOL after a video, recorded in July 2020, circulated on social media showing the official allegedly abusing Klopp and after a full investigation, his position was deemed untenable.

The 43-year-old was charged by the FA in June and an independent Regulatory Commission has now imposed an eight-week suspension and mandatory face-to-face education programme on him. Meanwhile, Coote had admitted the charge.

“It was alleged that contrary to FA Rule E3.1 the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words about Jurgen Klopp in a video that was recorded around July 2020 and appeared on social media in November 2024,” the FA said.

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“It was also alleged that his actions constitute an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as they included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality.”

Europe’s soccer governing body also said Coote was banned from any UEFA refereeing activity until June 2026. Coote has apologised for his actions.

The Sun also published a video which the newspaper said showed Coote appearing to snort white powder during his time working as a match official at Euro 2024.

Ban on Al Hilal

Separately, holders Al Hilal will be banned from the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup if they qualify after withdrawing from this season’s four-team competition, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation’s (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said in August first week.

The decision came after Al Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played from August 19-23 in Hong Kong, citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4.