The controversy surrounding the viral video of David Coote’s offensive tirade about Jurgen Klopp continued into Tuesday.
Here’s the paraphrased version of the text:
On Monday, a video emerged online showing a Premier League referee using offensive language to insult the former Liverpool manager. In response, the PGMOL swiftly suspended Coote while an investigation is underway.
Reports now suggest that the 42-year-old could face further penalties due to his comments in the video.
Coote may face an aggravated misconduct charge
Martyn Ziegler from The Times has reported that Coote might be charged with aggravated misconduct by the FA for making remarks about Klopp’s nationality.
FA regulations state that insulting someone based on their nationality can result in more severe sanctions. The FA defines an “aggravated breach” as any comment relating to race, ethnicity, color, or nationality.
The report highlights that it would be highly unusual, possibly even unprecedented, for a referee to face such an FA charge. Even though the video might have been recorded years ago and was not intended for public release, the FA can still impose disciplinary measures.
Lessons for Coote and other referees
The offensive language in the video already tarnishes Coote’s reputation, and the inclusion of “German” in his remarks only worsens the situation, regardless of the intent behind it.
If Coote is found guilty of aggravated misconduct, it could mark the end of his career as a Premier League referee. This incident should serve as a learning experience for Coote and other referees.
Ultimately, this is a regrettable situation with no clear victors. The authorities must now decide on appropriate penalties, aiming to set a standard for both current and future referees to maintain the professionalism required in their roles.
