David Coote issues apology to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp after leaked explicit rant
David Coote issues apology to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp after leaked explicit rant
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Former Premier League referee David Coote has apologised to Jurgen Klopp as he spoke for the first time since his explicit rant towards the former Liverpool manager was leaked online. Coote was sacked by referees’ body PGMOL in December after an investigation into his conduct.
![[Southampton v Liverpool - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-1397777114-e1731413829410.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
In a series of leaked videos, Coote was filmed making derogatory comments about Liverpool and former Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp, and appearing to take drugs. Speaking for the first time since his high-profile dismissal, Coote said that he occasionally used drugs as an escape from struggles with his sexuality and the intense pressure and abuse he encountered as a referee.
![[Liverpool FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2184191293.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
However, the 42-year-old also conceded there was no excusing a leaked video which showed him calling Liverpool ‘s**t’ and former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp an ‘absolute c**t’. Coote admitted that ‘he was not sober’ when the two short clips were filmed and sought to apologise for any offence caused.
‘I recognise that they fell well short of standards that are expected of a top level referee and I deeply regret saying what I said,’ Coote told The Sun. ‘That video has been with somebody for more than four years. ‘I’d forgotten it existed and I was sitting waiting for my car to be serviced and then received a call to say that it had surfaced on social media and I was devastated.
