David Coote has been axed by the PGMOL after being embroiled in a series of controversies, including alleged derogatory comments about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
David Coote
David Coote has been sacked by PGMOL
(
Image: PA)
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Referee David Coote has been sacked following a string of scandals regarding his conduct.
The 42-year-old was suspended by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in November for calling former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a "German c***" after an old video clip surfaced on social media. In the same clip, Coote allegedly called Liverpool "s***".
The Nottinghamshire official was the subject of further controversy when a clip of him allegedly snorting a white powder, purportedly during Euro 2024, was circulated. PGMOL confirmed the termination of the official’s employment in a statement on Monday.
The referees’ body said that a thorough investigation had concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”. UEFA had already removed Coote from their match list for a Nations League game during the most recent international break.
David Coote SACKED after Premier League ref's Jurgen Klopp rant and white powder video
[
David Coote breaks silence as shamed Premier League ref engulfed in third scandal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-coote-betting-scandal-statement-34195045)
Reaction to new investigation
Following the emergence of the video which led to his suspension, Coote was at the centre of a separate allegation that he had discussed giving a yellow card with a fan before a Championship game.
A report in The Sun said Coote exchanged messages with a fan about issuing a caution before and after a game between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. The exchange referred to Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski being booked by Coote during the match.
There is no suggestion that Coote financially gained from the booking, which was regarded as the correct action at the time. Coote issued a strong statement following the report, saying: “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." The FA said it was investigating the claims “as a matter of urgency”. The investigation is currently still ongoing.
David Coote has denied claims he discussed booking a Leeds player with a fan (
Image:
Getty Images)
Premier League statement
The PGMOL announced Coote’s sacking in a statement shared on the Premier League website. It read: "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. David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment."
Ex-refs weigh in
The controversy surrounding Coote could not have come at a worse time for football, according to Jeff Winter, an ex-Premier League referee who believes the level of trust between officials and fans has severely been damaged.
“It's got a lot worse,” he told Freebets. “Social media just doesn't help because everybody spouts an opinion on everything, everybody's an expert on everything.
“Now everybody is sharing their views and there's a lot of hatred, and nastiness out there. The refereeing on the pitch, the interpretation of laws, the chopping and changing, VAR, none of this has helped the referees.
“Aspects away from the pitch that we've seen with David Coote recently is only going to add fuel to the fires. I would say the relationship between referees and players, referees and managers, and referees and spectators, is probably at an all-time low.”
Jeff Winter believes trust between fans and referees has been damaged
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Image:
Press Association)
Meanwhile, former refereeing colleague John Moss has described Coote as “hardworking and diligent” but conceded the recent allegations would undermine the relationship between fans and officials.
Prior to Coote’s dismissal, Moss told The Athletic: “David is a nice guy and I always found him to be hardworking, diligent and sensible. I hope that PGMOL conduct their investigations and when it comes to it he can move on either as a referee or in some other walk of life.
“What the public have to realise is that for a number of years English match officials have been held in high esteem right around the world because they’ve never been involved in match fixing or anything like that. These people are dedicated to the profession and they work really hard.
“Unfortunately, these stories, whether you believe them or not, will undoubtedly cause damage. Some fans already had that perception of referees and this will add fuel to the fire.”
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