Frank Christian
The world of football officiating is a delicate environment, where referees strive to remain impartial amidst the emotional turmoil of the games they oversee. Despite being human, referees are often expected to rise above the biases that players and teams may exhibit.
David Coote, a well-regarded Premier League referee, is recognized for his accurate officiating and has gained respect in the sport. However, he finds himself at the center of a controversy that could challenge his reputation and career.
This article from The Sporting News provides an overview of the situation surrounding this esteemed Premier League referee.
Introduction to David Coote
David Coote, 42, hails from Nottingham and has been part of England’s Select Group of Referees since 2010. He advanced to Select Group 1 for the 2018/19 season and made his Premier League debut that same season, officiating a match between Newcastle and West Brom, where the latter claimed victory.
Coote has experience officiating finals, including the League One playoff final in 2014 and the 2023 EFL Cup final featuring Manchester United and Newcastle.
Though he has been listed as a FIFA referee since 2020, Coote has not yet presided over European club matches but has officiated a UEFA Nations League C match in 2020.
Recent Controversy Involving David Coote
A video surfaced on social media on November 11, allegedly showing Coote expressing negative opinions about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. In this clip, a person resembling Coote reportedly made disparaging comments following a match where he served as the fourth official. The timing of the video remains unknown and its authenticity is unverified.
Coote has not spoken out publicly yet, but it has been reported that he claims the video is a “deep fake” and is undergoing examination by tech specialists. Consequently, PGMOL, England’s refereeing body, has suspended him indefinitely as an investigation unfolds.
Statistics of David Coote as a Referee
During the 2023/24 Premier League season, Coote averaged the highest number of yellow cards per match for full-time referees, issuing an average of 5.19 cards across 16 matches. He also recorded the largest number of fouls per game, with an average of 24.69.
After his suspension in the ongoing 2024/25 season, his disciplinary approach appeared to relax, with averages of 5.17 yellow cards and 24 fouls in the six games he officiated, placing him lower among referees with five or more matches.
Controversial Decisions Involving Liverpool by David Coote
Coote has made headlines in relation to Liverpool through several contentious decisions, particularly when acting as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). One notable incident occurred in a 2020 match against Everton, where he faced criticism from Klopp for failing to advise a review on a challenge by Jordan Pickford that led to an injury for Virgil van Dijk. Following this, Klopp remarked that Coote had “forgotten the rules.”
In another instance in December 2023, Coote, as VAR, chose not to recommend a review for a handball by Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard during a match against Liverpool that ended in a 1-1 draw.
