Premier League referee David Coote has been dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a comprehensive investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The 42-year-old official was initially suspended on 11 November after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp. The video appeared to reference a July 2020 Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley, which ended in a 1-1 draw. After the game, Klopp had criticised Coote, claiming the referee failed to call fouls for challenges on Liverpool players. The Football Association (FA) began an inquiry shortly after the video’s release.
On 13 November, the situation escalated when The Sun published photos that purportedly showed Coote using a white powder with a rolled-up US dollar bill during the summer’s European Championship. The PGMOL responded by launching a secondary investigation, stating they were taking the allegations “very seriously.” UEFA, European football’s governing body, also suspended Coote from his role as a match official while conducting its own review.
Further controversy arose when a 2019 incident resurfaced. The FA initiated another investigation on 27 November following allegations that Coote had exchanged messages with a fan regarding a yellow card given during a Championship match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion. The messages, published by The Sun, suggested Coote had discussed issuing the booking before and after the match. Coote denied the claims, calling them “false and defamatory.” The FA found no evidence of financial impropriety, and the booking was deemed legitimate.
In a statement, the PGMOL concluded that Coote’s actions represented “serious breaches” of his employment contract, rendering his position “untenable.” Despite his dismissal, the PGMOL emphasized its commitment to supporting Coote’s welfare. Coote has the right to appeal the decision.
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