The controversy surrounding the viral video of David Coote’s offensive tirade about Jurgen Klopp continued into Tuesday.
On Monday, a video emerged online showing a Premier League referee using explicit language to insult the former Liverpool manager. In response, the PGMOL swiftly suspended Coote pending an investigation.
Reports now suggest that the 42-year-old may face additional consequences due to his remarks in the video.
Coote Could Face Aggravated Misconduct Charge
Martyn Ziegler of *The Times* reports that Coote could be charged with aggravated misconduct by the FA, as his comments targeted Klopp’s nationality.
Under FA regulations, insults that reference a person’s nationality can result in more severe penalties. The FA defines an “aggravated breach” as comments related to race, color, ethnic origin, or nationality.
The report highlights that it would be highly unusual—perhaps unprecedented—for a referee to face an FA charge of this kind. Even though the video may have been recorded years ago and was never intended for public release, the FA retains the right to impose disciplinary action.
Consequences for Coote and Other Referees
The offensive language in the video has already damaged Coote’s reputation, but the use of the term “German” in his remarks has only worsened the situation, regardless of intent.
If Coote is found guilty of aggravated misconduct, it could mark the end of his career as a Premier League referee. This incident serves as a reminder for Coote and other officials of the professional standards they are expected to maintain.
Ultimately, no one benefits from this unfortunate situation. It now rests with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate sanctions, with hopes that this sets a precedent for both current and future referees to uphold the professionalism required in their role.
