David Coote’s EPL Return ‘Very Difficult’ After Ban Over Comments on Jurgen Klopp, Says Howard Webb
Former referee Howard Webb has suggested that disgraced official David Coote would find it extremely hard to return to the English Premier League after his suspension for making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Webb also hinted that Coote may never officiate at the elite level again.
The controversy began when a video filmed during the COVID-19 lockdown and leaked online in November 2024 showed Coote going on an abusive rant against Klopp. His comments were widely condemned, and he was suspended for an “aggravated breach” of FA guidelines. Although Coote expressed deep remorse and admitted that his remarks about the German tactician were “crass and inappropriate”, he was barred from officiating matches.
The situation worsened when Coote was also sacked from the Premier League referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), after another video surfaced showing him allegedly sniffing white powder during Euro 2024. UEFA subsequently banned him from officiating in European competitions until June 30, 2026.
Speaking to The Guardian, Webb said, “I think it’d be really difficult for David to come back, I’m afraid to say. He was part of our refereeing family for a long time and served the game for many years. It’s sad what happened with David, but returning to the top level would be a big challenge.”
Webb added, “It became clear that David had made some bad choices off the field. As his employer, we had to care for him and try to understand why those choices were made and how they related to his role. We also spoke to other officials to understand the support they felt they needed and reflected on the services provided within our staff expertise.”
