Premier League referee David Coote sacked after investigation into his conduct

Posted by Admin December 9, 2024 Sports

Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked after an investigation into his conduct.

A video emerged last month of Coote, 42, appearing to make derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.

The organisation responsible for professional referees in the UK, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), suspended Coote after the video emerged on social media.

The UEFA Referees Committee also suspended Coote pending an investigation after a video appearing to show him snorting white powder during this summer’s Euros in Germany – where he was officiating – was published by The Sun.

In a statement released on Monday, the PGMOL said: “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.

“David Coote’s 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,” the PGMOL added.

Coote, who has been a Premier League referee since April 2018, has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment, according to the PGMOL.

Timeline of allegations against David Coote

November 9: Coote referees Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa.

November 11: An unverified video of Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp circulates on social media.

November 11: PGMOL suspends Coote and launches an investigation.

November 12: FA begins own investigation into Coote video.

November 12: Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb says on programme Match Officials Mic’d Up that the PGMOL was taking the incident “very seriously”.

November 14: PGMOL says it is aware of a new video appearing to show Coote snorting a white powder while reportedly working at Euro 2024.

November 27: FA investigating allegations Coote discussed giving a yellow card before a game as reported by The Sun. Coote refutes allegations.

December 9: Coote sacked by PGMOL.

In the initial unverified clip which led to Coote’s suspension by the PGMOL, the referee is seen describing being the fourth official during a match involving Liverpool FC.

Asked what he thought of the game, the Nottinghamshire-born referee said: “Liverpool were shit.”

When asked what he thought of Klopp, he replied: “Erm ****. Absolute ****.”

Asked why he would describe the German manager in that way, he continued: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.

“Then he accused me of lying, then just had a right f****** pop at me. And I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who is f****** arrogant.

“So I do my best not to speak to him.”

He later suggested that he liked former Liverpool player James Milner – describing him as “alright”.

In a second clip shared online, Coote said: “Just to be clear, that f****** last video can’t go anywhere.”

In November, The Football Association (FA) launched a separate investigation into allegations that Coote discussed giving a yellow card ahead of a Leeds match in 2019.

Coote insisted nothing improper took place in regard to the claims, and that he strongly refuted the “false and defamatory allegations”.

The FA previously said it was investigating the allegation as “a matter of urgency”.