Official was first suspended by the PGMOL on Monday after first video leaked
Have you spoken with David Coote or do you have videos of him? Contact: sam.brookes@mailonline.co.uk
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! , available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
By MIKE KEEGAN and TUM BALOGUN
Published: 11:03 EST, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 11:25 EST, 9 December 2024
Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked.
A video emerged last month of the top-flight official, 42, insulting Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp. Later in November, a separate clip of him appearing to snort a white powder in a hotel room while he was officiating at last summer’s Euros was published.
Coote was also stood down from officiating European matches by UEFA and, in a later development, the FA confirmed he was the subject of a betting probe after allegations that he exchanged messages with a friend before a Leeds United match with West Bromwich Albion in 2019 in which he was asked to book the home side's Ezgjan Alioski.
Coote denies any wrongdoing relating to the betting probe.
A statement from refs’ body 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.’
In the initial video that was leaked - which appears to be from several years ago - Coote can be heard calling then-Reds boss Klopp a 'German ****' and 'f***ing arrogant'.
Former Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked from his position as an official
The 42-year-old official was suspended last month following the leaking of two videos
In one video, Coote can be heard making disparaging remarks about Jurgen Klopp
A second video was published by the Sun which allegedly shows Coote using a rolled-up bank note to inhale the powder.
The PGMOL launched a probe, which involved determining whether the initial video was a deep-fake or made using artificial intelligence. They have now confirmed that Coote, who has been an official in the top-flight since 2018, has been dismissed.
The referee's body vowed in a statement on Monday to offer the sacked official support.
'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. He has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.'
The astonishing initial video, which went viral on social media, appeared to show Coote looking worse for wear as he delivered an explicit rant about the Merseyside club.
'Liverpool were s***,' said the man alleged to be Coote in the video. '(Klopp is a) ****, absolute ****. Aside from having a right pop at me when I was refereeing them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying and then had a right f***ing pop of me.
'I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f***ing arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. (James) Milner is all right, I get on with him. You can see me there with a 'mask' on. But, my god, German ****, f*** me.'
A video later emerged of the suspended Premier League referee allegedly snorting white powder in a hotel room
The initial video appeared to follow Liverpool's controversial draw with Burnley in 2020, which was officiated by Coote
In a second video, the man added: 'Just to be clear, that f***ing last video cannot go anywhere, seriously.'
The video was allegedly recorded back in 2020 after Liverpool's controversial 1-1 draw against Burnley, which saw Andy Robertson angrily confront the English referee after not being awarded a penalty.
The leaked video was reportedly sent to the publication by a friend of the referee, and filmed by the official at a hotel paid for by UEFA during their flagship international competition this year.
His friend reportedly claims Coote made disparaging remarks about Everton, including calling Goodison Park the worst place to officiate due to fans 'shouting abuse so close to the pitch'.
The friend also alleges Coote labelled Liverpool defender Andy Robertson a 'Scottish p****', while saying in video chats that the Anfield club would 'not win the Premier League' this season.
Coote began his refereeing journey at the age of 14, where he started as a lineman. In 2010 he was promoted to the list of Football League referees in 2010. His first major game in charge came in the 2014 League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
In 2018, Coote reached the pinnacle of being a referee when he officiated his first Premier League game between Newcastle and West Brom. He was a FIFA-listed referee between September 2020 and March 2022.
Coote has been involved in a number of controversial calls, the latest came last weekend during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. He had plenty of run-ins with Klopp, who left Anfield at the end of last campaign.
Coote began his refereeing journey at the age of 14 before working his way up the system
Midway through last season during Arsenal's clash with Liverpool in December, Klopp vented his fury at Coote and the rest of the match officials after his side were denied a penalty despite Martin Odegaard appearing to handle the ball inside the 18-yard box.
Chris Kavanagh, who was the match referee, waved play on and the game was not stopped for a VAR check by the officials, with Coote confident that the Norwegian only handled the ball in the act of falling, which isn't deemed punishable by the Premier League's rules.
'Yes I have seen it,' Klopp fumed after the game. 'I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don't know how? I don't say that the ref can see it because I don't know where he was in that moment.'
Referring to Coote's role in the incident, he added: 'But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly it could be worth the referee having another look?'
Howard Webb, head of PGMOL, subsequently admitted that Kavanagh and Coote made a mistake by not awarding Liverpool a penalty during the 1-1 draw.
Late last month, Coote admitted to encountering 'issues in my personal life' but strongly refuted the allegations of misconduct while officiating games when The Sun alleged that he had discussed booking a player before he refereed a match five years ago.
It was reported that Coote had a text exchange with a 'pal' in which it was suggested Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski would be booked during the clash at Elland Road, with the North Macedonian star subsequently cautioned in the 18th minute.
However, Coote protested his innocence and slammed the 'false and defamatory allegations'.
In a statement, he said: 'I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations.
'Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision-making on the field.
'I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially, and to the best of my ability.'