Embattled former Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended for eight weeks and ordered to undergo an education programme after making insulting remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) fired Coote in December after a video leaked on social media the previous month showing him making disparaging remarks regarding Klopp and Liverpool in 2020.
The FA has sanctioned him further for an “aggravated breach” of rule E3.2, citing the reference to Klopp’s German nationality in the video.
According to the FA’s written reasons for the ruling, Coote showed “deep remorse” and accepted his words were “crass and inappropriate”.
He was charged by the FA in June, and the English game’s governing body stated at the time that he would face no further action in connection with other claims of gambling impropriety, which he vigorously rejected.
The FA stated that the allegations had been thoroughly investigated.
A video of Coote sniffing a white substance, allegedly during Euro 2024, surfaced in November.
Earlier this year, the governing body of European football, UEFA, banned Coote from officiating until June 2026.
In a January interview, he came out as gay and stated that his attempt to hide his sexuality had contributed to disastrous decisions.
