Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote has been given an eight-week suspension by the Football Association and told to attend an education programme over disparaging comments he made about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Coote was sacked in December by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) after a video circulated on social media the previous month of him making derogatory remarks about Klopp and Liverpool in 2020.
He has been further sanctioned by the FA for an “aggravated breach” of rule E3.2, because of the reference he made to Klopp’s German nationality in the video.
The FA’s written reasons for the verdict announced Tuesday said Coote expressed “deep remorse” and acknowledged his comments were “crass and inappropriate”.
Coote was charged by the FA in June, with the English game’s ruling body saying at the time he would face no further action in regard to separate allegations of gambling misconduct, which he had strenuously denied. The FA said those allegations had been fully investigated.
A video showing Coote snorting white powder, reportedly during Euro 2024, emerged in November.
Earlier this year European football’s governing body UEFA banned Coote from any officiating activity until June 2026.
In a January interview Coote came out as gay and said his struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to bad choices.
Japanese boxing officials said on Tuesday they would introduce urine tests, stricter rules on weight loss to prevent dehydration, and improve medical cover at bouts following the deaths of two fighters.
The new measures were adopted during an emergency meeting of the Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), and gym owners on Tuesday.
It was convened after super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died days after brain surgery on injuries they sustained in separate bouts at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
The exact cause of the boxers’ deaths is to be determined, but dehydration caused by cutting weight rapidly is regarded as a factor in making the brain more susceptible to bleeding, according to the World Boxing Association.
The deaths were “really regrettable,” said JPBA president Shoji Kobayashi. “We gathered today to establish a plan towards zero accidents.”
New measures to be implemented as soon as possible include urine tests for measuring dehydration and stricter rules on boxers’ rapid weight loss, said Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC.
READ ALSO: Two Boxers Die From Brain Injuries At Same Tokyo Event
Ambulances will also be required on site, even for non-world championship bouts. They will partner with hospitals that are equipped to perform emergency surgery for head and other injuries.
There will also be new rules on how long before a fight sparring must be stopped during training, he said.
Officials decided “to take all measures possible so we do not let the deaths of the two be in vain,” Yasukochi added.
Kotari collapsed and later died after going 12 rounds in an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fight. The JBC had already announced all future OPBF title bouts would be reduced to 10 rounds.
“That such an incident occurred involving top-level boxers means we may face arguments that boxing should be halted,” admitted Toshiharu Kayama, former Japan welterweight champion and president of the boxing gym Ebisu K’s Box.
“We, the association and gyms, want to think and change” the way the sport is contested, Kayama said.
An accident investigation committee will work to find out the cause of the boxers’ deaths later this month and guidance on prevention measures will be updated, Yasukochi said.
The JBC and JPBA will also hold a safety meeting later this month, which will include the organisations’ doctors as well as the amateur boxing federation, he added.
Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona completed their pre-season preparations by thrashing Italian side Como 5-0 on Sunday in a game which signalled a thawing of relations with goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Barca also gave Marcus Rashford a substitute’s appearance two weeks after the England forward joined on loan from Manchester United.
Double strikes from Fermín Lopez and Lamine Yamal and a first-half goal from Brazilian Raphinha completed the rout in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Barcelona players pose with their trophy after winning the 60th Joan Gamper Trophy football match between FC Barcelona and Como 1907 at Johan Cruyff Stadium in Barcelona on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium within the team’s training complex, while Barcelona wait for the heavily delayed modernisation of the Camp Nou to be completed, Hansi Flick’s team showed fluency as they prepare to begin their Liga title defence away to Mallorca on Saturday.
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Barcelona’s German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (L) gives the microphone to Barcelona’s German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen before the 60th Joan Gamper Trophy football match between FC Barcelona and Como 1907 at Johan Cruyff Stadium in Barcelona on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Before kickoff on Sunday, Ter Stegen gave the traditional captain’s speech from the pitch, just days after his dispute with the club over the handling of his back injury broke to the surface.
“I think it was important to resolve the issue between the club and me, and now it’s time to look forward,” said the 33-year-old German goalkeeper, two days after having the captaincy restored.
“We’re going to fight again for all the trophies and we hope that with your help we can win all the titles possible,” Ter Stegen told the fans.
Rashford suffered mixed fortunes, providing the cross for Raphinha to score but also blowing the chance to tap into an empty net.
Crystal Palace twice came from behind to stun a new-look Liverpool and win the Community Shield for the first time on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley on Sunday.
New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for the Premier League champions, but Palace responded through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr before winning an error-strewn shootout 3-2.
Mohamed Salah blazed over from the spot, while Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott were denied by an inspired Dean Henderson as Palace built on winning their first ever major trophy by beating Manchester City in May’s FA Cup final.
Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah hits his penalty over the bar in the shoot-out during the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
The traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season was given extra significance after a summer marked by tragedy for Liverpool.
Forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother, Andre Silva.
Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso (C) follows the coffin of Portuguese football player Diogo Jota carried out of the church after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP)
Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths on the side of the pitch before kick-off, while the Liverpool end was awash with banners and flags paying tribute to the Portuguese international.
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Crystal Palace’s players celebrate with the trophy after Palace win the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. Palace won the penalty shoot-out 3-2 after the game finished 2-2 in 90 minutes. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
A minute’s silence, however, had to be cut short due to disturbances in the crowd.
Jota’s death has dampened the excitement over Liverpool’s transfer spending spree to build on a squad that romped to a record-equalling 20th league title last season.
All four of their new signings for £260 million ($350 million) — Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez — started.
Ekitike’s role this season could depend on whether Liverpool are successful in their pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
But the Frenchman — signed from Eintracht Frankfurt last month for an initial £69 million — did his case to be Slot’s preferred number nine no harm at all.
Wirtz also bagged his first assist for the Reds when Ekitike spun onto the German’s pass and fired into the far corner just four minutes.
Palace were making their first ever appearance in the fixture, but the Eagles again showed their ability to match one of the Premier League’s giants over 90 minutes.
Mateta missed a glorious chance to level when he failed to beat Alisson Becker one-on-one.
Liverpool unbalanced
Crystal Palace’s French striker #14 Jean-Philippe Mateta (C) is tackled by Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker (L) during the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP).
But from the rebound, Sarr charged into the box and was tripped by an out-of-sorts Virgil van Dijk.
Mateta coolly sent Alisson the wrong way from the penalty spot to equalise.
Liverpool’s players were sporting a “Forever 20” emblem, referencing Jota’s now-retired shirt number, that they will wear all season.
The Liverpool fans had risen to chant Jota’s name as the game entered the 20th minute when their side retook the lead.
Liverpool players look forward to the penalty shoot out during the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Frimpong’s chipped cross caught out Henderson and flew into the far corner.
Ekitike wasted a great chance for his second early in the second half from another Wirtz pass, as this time he fired over.
However, Slot’s new-look side are still to find the right balance between attack and defence as has been evidenced during pre-season.
Palace were a constant threat with balls in behind the Reds’ defence and levelled again 13 minutes from time.
Sarr sped onto Adam Wharton’s through ball and calmly slotted past Alisson for his fourth goal in seven games against Liverpool.
Liverpool also survived a VAR review for a penalty against Mac Allister for handball before the match went to a shootout without extra time.
Youngster Justin Devenny was the unlikely hero as he blasted the winning spot-kick high past Alisson, showing Salah, Mac Allister, and Elliott how it is done.
Two boxers in Japan have died from brain injuries they incurred in separate bouts during the same event in Tokyo, officials said.
Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, fought on the same card in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
Both were later rushed to hospital where they had brain surgery.
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Kotari, who battled to a draw after 12 rounds against fellow Japanese fighter Yamato Hata lost consciousness soon after and “passed away at 10:59 pm on August 8,” his M.T boxing gym said on its website Saturday.
“He did his best to fight his way through the surgery and treatment he had been receiving at a Tokyo hospital due to acute subdural haematoma,” the gym’s post said.
Urakawa was stopped in the eighth and final round against Yoji Saito and “tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight”, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) said in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Urakawa died on Saturday night, according to local media reports.
“This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,” the WBO said, adding that it extends its “deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community”.
Secretary-General of the Japan Boxing Commission, Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, told local media after their hospitalisation that it was likely “the first time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries stemming from the same event”.
Former Super Eagles Forward, John Utaka, has been appointed the new manager of Montpellier HSC women’s team, replacing outgoing boss, Frederic Mendy.
Utaka will share coaching duties with Baptiste Merle until the end of the current campaign, with both working closely under the guidance of sporting director Jean-Louis Saez.
The appointment is a milestone for Utaka, making him the only African manager in France’s top-tier women’s league.
Utaka’s connection to Montpellier runs deep.
During his active days, the 43-year-old was instrumental in helping the men’s team clinch the 2011–2012 Ligue 1 crown, famously scoring twice in the final match to secure the club’s first-ever championship.
He returned in 2020 as a youth team attacking coach and briefly managed the women’s side in 2021.
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Since retiring in 2018, the Enugu-born star has dedicated himself to coaching, earning his UEFA A Licence in 2022 and most recently serving as assistant coach for Montpellier’s U-19 men’s team.
His new challenge comes with Montpellier’s women’s team sitting fifth in women’s Division 1 on 27 points after 19 matches—11 points behind third-placed Girondins Bordeaux, with Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyon occupying the top two spots.
Utaka will also reunite with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner and Super Falcons Forward Ifeoma Onumonu, who joined the club earlier this year.
Known for his composed leadership and attacking philosophy, Utaka enjoyed a career spanning Nigeria, Egypt, Qatar, France, England, and Turkey.
