- Referee David Coote Fired
- PGMOL Finds Coote's Actions "Untenable"
- Coote Faces Multiple Allegations
A thorough investigation by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has led to the termination of Premier League referee David Coote’s employment. The 42-year-old official was suspended on November 11 pending a full investigation into his conduct.
The investigation was sparked by a video allegedly showing Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club’s former manager Jurgen Klopp, which was circulated on social media. A further investigation was launched two days later after the publication of photos appearing to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled-up US bank note during the European Championship.
The PGMOL has deemed Coote’s actions “untenable” and in serious breach of his employment contract. “David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract,” the PGMOL stated. “Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us, and we remain committed to his welfare.”
Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment. The Football Association has also been investigating allegations that Coote discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. Coote has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegation “false and defamatory”.
The controversy surrounding Coote began on November 11, when the PGMOL took action against him following the release of a video on social media. The video allegedly showed Coote criticizing Liverpool and Klopp, referring to a Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020. Klopp had criticized Coote’s performance in the match, which finished 1-1.
The FA opened an investigation the following day, and the PGMOL took further action on November 13, following the publication of images appearing to show Coote sniffing a white powder. Uefa, European football’s governing body, also suspended Coote and launched its own investigation.
On November 27, the FA opened a new investigation into an allegation that Coote had spoken about showing a yellow card in a Championship match. The exchange referred to a booking Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski received in the match from Coote. There is no suggestion of any financial gain by Coote, and the booking is regarded as entirely correct.
