The integrity of English football’s officiating system is under fire after a leaked video allegedly captures Premier League referee David Coote using profane language about Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which governs match officials in English football, has suspended Coote pending an investigation. The Football Association (FA) has also launched its own probe.
The video, widely circulated on social media, has not been independently verified. However, sources close to the investigation have indicated that PGMOL is treating the footage as legitimate. Coote has yet to issue a statement, leaving both the FA and PGMOL grappling with the fallout from a crisis that is already shaking confidence in the refereeing structure.
Should the video be authenticated, the implications for Coote and his colleagues could be severe. Already under intense scrutiny from fans, players, and media pundits, referees must demonstrate impeccable impartiality, even as the pressures of the Premier League continue to mount. Howard Webb, head of PGMOL, has consistently advocated for empathy toward referees, acknowledging that while human error is inevitable, bias must remain outside the realm of decision-making.
However, Coote’s alleged remarks may reinforce a narrative among skeptical fans that certain referees harbor biases against specific clubs or individuals. The video could intensify the “conspiracy theory” culture around officiating, a longstanding issue in football fandom. This development follows a series of contentious moments involving Coote in Liverpool matches, including his decisions during the 2020 Merseyside derby and a December 2023 clash with Arsenal—both of which sparked controversy and raised questions about VAR’s reliability.
The current controversy comes amid growing concerns about dissent and abuse directed at officials. PGMOL’s 2023 crackdown on abusive behavior by players and managers resulted in a spike in fines for on-field confrontations, illustrating a trend that has filtered down to grassroots levels. FA data for the 2022-23 season revealed 1,451 serious offenses against match officials in lower leagues, including 42 proven cases of assault or attempted assault. These statistics underscore the heightened vulnerability referees face, not only from physical attacks but also from verbal abuse and threats.
As in recent cases, the Coote video has inflamed social media, which plays a central role in the lives of today’s football fans. Online platforms have become breeding grounds for conspiracy theories, where a single controversial decision or a leaked clip can spiral into accusations of systemic bias. While such claims often lack substantive evidence, they can nonetheless alter public perception and erode trust in officiating.
For instance, earlier this year, Nottingham Forest criticized a decision by VAR official Stuart Attwell during a match against Everton, accusing him of bias due to his alleged affiliation with Luton Town. The FA responded by fining Forest £750,000, emphasizing that such allegations threatened the integrity of referees and could incite further abuse. Webb remarked that this incident had set a dangerous precedent, effectively giving fans “a green light” to question official decisions without evidence.
PGMOL now faces an uphill battle to restore credibility and address the public’s trust deficit. Webb has spearheaded initiatives to increase transparency and accountability, implementing a “culture change” to improve interactions between officials, players, and managers. Despite these efforts, the Coote video complicates Webb’s mission, calling into question the impartiality of referees.
Ultimately, the PGMOL investigation will seek to determine if Coote’s conduct breached professional standards. Meanwhile, football’s governing bodies must confront the complex task of fostering respect for officials while ensuring they uphold the highest ethical standards. Whether this latest incident will catalyze change within English football or merely deepen existing divides remains to be seen. For now, referees face a long road to rebuilding their reputation in the eyes of an ever-skeptical public.
As Webb puts it, referees must operate with the highest principles, as they are “above suspicion.”
