What we know about the David Coote case
A headline did the rounds claiming an ex-Premier League referee called Jurgen Klopp “very strange” while weighing in on David Coote. That specific story isn’t in the available sources right now. What is on record is sharper and more serious: referee David Coote faced disciplinary action after derogatory comments about Klopp came to light. He was suspended from officiating, then dismissed from his role, and later charged by the Football Association. An independent panel issued an eight-week ban.
Here’s the cleanest version of the timeline based on what’s publicly reported:
- Derogatory remarks about Klopp surfaced, reportedly shared privately but circulated widely enough to reach authorities.
- Coote was immediately taken off match appointments and suspended while inquiries began.
- He was subsequently dismissed by his employer at the time, separate from FA proceedings.
- The FA charged him under its conduct rules for improper and offensive comments.
- An eight-week suspension from football activity followed after a disciplinary hearing.
So far, there’s no verified public comment from a former Premier League referee calling Klopp “very strange” in connection with this case. If that changes, it would add color, not core facts. The core remains: an official’s conduct fell below the standard expected, authorities acted, and a ban was imposed.
It’s worth underlining a key point about process. Match officials are bound not only by workplace contracts but also by FA Rule E3, which covers improper comments and behavior that bring the game into disrepute. Separate to that, the refereeing body’s code demands independence and the appearance of independence. You can’t credibly referee a team if your private messages show hostility toward its manager. That’s the heart of this case.
Why this matters: referees, rules, and trust
Referees make the game work. When a referee’s personal messages target a high-profile manager, it damages trust in a system already under the microscope after years of heated touchline rows, VAR flashpoints, and weekend-long debates about bias. Klopp’s teams have been involved in their share of emotional moments with officials; that only raises the bar for neutrality—and the need to show it.
The FA has hardened its stance on conduct across the board. Players and managers get bans and fines for what they say and do in public. Officials face their own standards, including on private channels that can leak. In 2024, that’s not hypothetical. Screenshots turn private comments into public lightning rods within hours. That’s why social media and messaging policies aren’t window dressing anymore; they’re risk management.
There’s also a practical side. When an official is removed mid-season, appointments get reshuffled. Clubs watch for patterns. Fans look for signs of favoritism. The PGMOL has spent years trying to raise standards with better training, transparency on VAR errors, and support for referees’ mental health. This kind of case cuts against that work unless it’s dealt with clearly and quickly. The suspension, dismissal, and FA ban did exactly that—swift, documented, and measurable.
What should people watch next? Not the missing headline, but the operational follow‑through. Are officials getting refreshed guidance on private communications? Are assignment policies changing when perceived conflicts appear? Are disciplinary outcomes consistent across players, managers, and referees? Those are the guardrails that rebuild confidence.
One more note on the “very strange” quote that isn’t currently sourced: stories like that spread fast because they feel true to the broader narrative. Klopp is a strong personality. He clashes, he hugs, he sprints down touchlines. But when the stakes involve an official’s impartiality, feelings aren’t evidence. The only part that really matters is the paper trail—and in this case, that paper trail led to an eight-week FA ban.
