Referee David Coote (R) and Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp during a Premier League game in 2020. Photo by Reuters
David Coote, an English referee who recently lost his job following controversy for vulgar remarks about Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, has faced allegations after a video showing him appears to be taking drugs during the Euro 2024.
The Sun published a video on Nov.13 allegedly showing Coote using a rolled-up banknote to inhale a white powder in a hotel room in Germany on July 6. The incident reportedly occurred a day after Coote performed VAR duties for the Euro quarterfinal between Portugal and France. The hotel room was sponsored by UEFA as part of his official accommodations. Coote allegedly filmed the act himself and sent the video to a friend.
In response to the revelations, UEFA immediately suspended the 42-year-old referee from officiating in European football matches.
This comes just days after the controversy on Nov. 11, when a leaked video showed Coote making rude comments about Liverpool and their former manager Klopp. “Liverpool were sh**,” Coote is heard saying. “Klopp is a c***. Absolute c***”.
He also recounted a heated exchange during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley in July 2020, claiming Klopp insulted him and accused him of lying.
“I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f***ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him,” Coote added, comparing Klopp with former Liverpool player James Milner, whom he called “all right”.
Coote later admitted to the authenticity of the leaked video but claimed he could not recall the specific context, as it was recorded years ago.
The scandals have led to Coote’s indefinite suspension in England.
Coote began officiating in the Premier League in 2018 and served as a FIFA referee from 2020 to 2022. He has officiated eight Liverpool matches across all competitions, with the team winning five, drawing two and losing one under his watch.
UEFA and the Premier League have yet to issue further statements regarding Coote’s future in refereeing.
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