David Harry Coote (born 11 July 1982) is an English former professional football referee. Affiliated with the Nottinghamshire Football Association, Coote was part of the elite Select Group 1 of referees who officiate in the Premier League. His career, once marked by steady progression through the ranks of English football, came to an abrupt end following a string of controversies in late 2024.
Coote began refereeing at the age of 16, officiating in lower-tier leagues such as the Notts Alliance League, Northern Counties East Football League, Northern Premier League, and Conference North. He was later promoted to the Football League as an assistant referee, officiating his first match in that capacity in a League Two clash between Stockport County and Hereford United.
In 2010, he was elevated to the role of Football League referee. A career milestone came in May 2014 when he took charge of the League One Play-off Final between Leyton Orient and Rotherham United at Wembley Stadium.
Coote made his Premier League debut on 28 April 2018, officiating the match between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, which ended in a 1–0 win for the visitors. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, he was promoted to the Select Group 1.
He further solidified his standing with a high-profile appointment to the 2023 EFL Cup Final between Manchester United and Newcastle United, held on 14 February 2023. Manchester United won the match 2–0.
What Led to David Coote’s Suspension?
Coote’s fall from grace began in November 2024, when the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) suspended him after the leak of a highly controversial video. In the footage, Coote is seen referring to then-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp as an “arrogant German cunt.” The clip allegedly dated back to the 2020–21 season, during the infamous Merseyside derby in which Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk suffered a season-ending injury. At the time, Coote was serving as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
While Coote initially denied the authenticity of the video, he later admitted it was real. Just days later, a second video emerged—this time showing Coote allegedly snorting a white powder, which he later confirmed was cocaine. The incident reportedly took place in a hotel room during UEFA Euro 2024, with the accommodation expenses covered by UEFA.
Following these revelations, UEFA swiftly suspended Coote from officiating duties and, in February 2025, handed him a 16-month ban. The official statement cited violations of “the basic rules of decent conduct” and declared that Coote had brought “the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.”
Further damage to his reputation came with the launch of a betting investigation by the Football Association (FA). The probe centered around a 2019 match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, after allegations surfaced that Coote had received a message from a friend requesting a yellow card for Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski. Coote has denied any involvement in or knowledge of such an incident.
Once a rising star among Premier League referees, David Coote’s career has now ended in disgrace. A combination of unprofessional conduct, substance abuse, and allegations of impropriety has not only led to his suspension but also tarnished his legacy within the world of football officiating.
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