New Delhi: David Coote, a prominent Premier League referee, has been dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a series of misconduct allegations. Coote, 42, was initially suspended by PGMOL on November 11 after a video surfaced showing him making offensive comments about Liverpool’s former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
In the video, Coote called Klopp “f**king arrogant” and used derogatory language, including a racial slur. The video, which quickly spread on social media, led to the suspension, and after a thorough investigation, PGMOL confirmed his dismissal, stating that his actions breached the provisions of his employment contract
Coote’s issues escalated when another video emerged, allegedly showing him using white powder through a rolled-up US banknote. The footage, published by The Sun, was reportedly recorded in July 2024, after the Euro 2024 quarter-final between France and Portugal, where Coote had served as the support Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
🚨 Referee David Coote has been sacked, PGMOL confirms.
“Actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable. Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare”. pic.twitter.com/FW8g2H2la0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 9, 2024
Although The Athletic was unable to verify the authenticity of the video or confirm Coote’s identity in it, the allegations prompted PGMOL to launch a further investigation into the matter
The referee has also been involved in a separate investigation by the Football Association (FA) over alleged betting breaches. These relate to a booking issued to Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski during a Championship match against West Bromwich Albion in October 2019. It was claimed that Coote had discussed issuing the yellow card with a friend before the match, raising concerns over the integrity of his decision-making
Coote has denied all wrongdoing, calling the allegations “false and defamatory.” He has maintained that his personal issues never impacted his officiating, insisting that he has always upheld the integrity of the game
. Despite his defense, PGMOL deemed his position untenable, ultimately leading to his dismissal. Coote has the right to appeal the decision, though it remains to be seen whether this will happen.
This case highlights the increasing scrutiny that football officials face and underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and ethics of the sport. PGMOL’s swift action sends a strong message that even high-profile referees are not exempt from accountability when their conduct falls short of the standards expected.
Coote denied the betting allegations, stating his personal issues never influenced his refereeing or decision-making on the field. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
