PGMOL release a statement confirming the sacking of Premier League official David Coote after an investigation into his conduct.
A video, which the media say has remained unverified, appeared to show Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
The 42 year old was initially suspended by the PGMOL and the FA launched its own investigation., but now the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has now confirmed the termination of the Nottinghamshire official’s employment in a statement on Monday afternoon.
David coote ladies and gentlemen pic.twitter.com/WDHc36a7Mn
— Josh (@Josh97LFC) November 11, 2024
BREAKING: Referee David Coote sacked by PGMOL with immediate effect 🚨 pic.twitter.com/f2dKaFM0zr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲
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.
WHAT WAS SAID IN THE VIDEO
Mate: What what did you what did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?
Coote: Liverpool was sh*t.
Mate: What do you think of Jurgen Klopp?
Coote: C***. Absolutely.
Mate: What what would you what would you say? Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp was a c***?
Coote: Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffing them against Burnley in lockdown, then he accused me of lying and then just had a right fucking pop at me, and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody who’s fucking arrogant, so I do my best not to speak to him. Milner’s alright. I get on with Milner.
Mate: James Milner. He gets on with James Milner.
Coote: You can see me there with mask on.
Mate: Yeah. Mask on, obviously.
Coote: Yeah. Because gotta be done. Social social distancing. Right? We’re two metres apart.
Mate: We do we we have to social distance.
Coote: Yeah. So but oh my god. German c*** fuck me.
Mate: Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***. Liverpool are all fucking bellends, and we hate Scousers.
Coote: Right. Right. Just to be clear, that fucking last video can’t go anywhere. Seriously.
Mate: He’s a Premier League referee. Let’s not let’s not fucking ruin his career. Like, let’s face it. We’re we’re good blokes, but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. Like, we’re not that bad. Also, he’s a fucking legend.
Coote: So yeah.
Mate: So let’s not, let’s not ruin his career,
He was also ‘filmed snorting white powder during Euro 2024’, there were claims he set up drugs party in a Travelodge around the Tottenham v Man City game, and recently refuted allegations that he discussed giving a yellow card before the Leeds-West Brom match after claims made to The Sun.
The Premier League referee is at the centre of a Football Association (FA) investigation with reports indicating that he allegedly engaged in discussions about issuing a yellow card prior to officiating a Championship match in 2019.
According to information acquired by The Sun, Coote allegedly exchanged texts with a friend, during which it was implied that Ezgjan Alioski would receive a booking in the match between Leeds United and West Brom in October 2019.
Tomorrow’s front page: Coote texted friend about yellow card before match https://t.co/eojKr0ugPv pic.twitter.com/cd8YKlkcKN
— The Sun (@TheSun) November 26, 2024
The game finished 1-0 to Leeds, left-back Alioski – who is now without a club after departing Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024 – scored the only goal of the game, while also being rightfully booked in the 17th minute for a late challenge when he Alioski to collect possession but slid in to foul Darnell Furlong.
Coote allegedly messaged a friend after the game: “What a day yesterday. I hope you backed as discussed.”
The friend says to Coote that he didn’t put money on it but he believes another friend “backed it though”.
Coote replied: “Haha he will have to share with you then.”
Now football bosses have looked into the new claims, to ensure no corruption exists within the game.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the pal said to The Sun this week: “My first contact with David Coote was online. When I got talking to him a bit more, I found out about his job as a football referee.
“I jokingly told him to give Alioski a yellow card in the Leeds United game the following day against West Bromwich Albion, so I could back this in the bookies.
“He sarcastically replied, ‘Haha will see’. Just 18 minutes into the game the next day Alioski was booked.
“It was Leeds’ only yellow card in the match.
“He messaged me a while after the game and said, ‘I hope you backed as discussed’.”
Now sources close to the referee suggested he may have engaged in “inappropriate banter” and sent “ill-judged” messages.
But they ruled out any suggestion of corruption or deliberately booking players, and say he always officiated with “integrity and impartiality”.
The PGMOL said: “The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.
“We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis.
“PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that Code be proven. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by the FA.
“We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
The Football Association added: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
Before the ball was even kicked, Coote was reportedly boasting about the fact that he was taking charge of Leeds’ fixture to someone who is allegedly a Leeds fans.
The Sun says this is how the exchange of messages played out:
Coote: “Yeah really good I’ve got Leeds tomorrow.”
Friend: “Ooh big game. We still on for what we discussed (Alioski). Maybe I could join you if so.”
Coote: “Haha don’t know what you mean.
Friend: “Haha well I’m off to back it in the morning so don’t let me down.”
Coote: “Haha will see.”
While the FA insist that they are investigating the “very serious allegation as a matter of urgency”, Coote has denied any wrongdoing, saying nothing improper happened prior to the game.
Per The Sun’s report, he said: “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 Daily Mail report that the EFL have urged its clubs to consider upping security around referees after the latest claims regarding David Coote.
In an email, chief executive Trevor Birch says he’s ‘clearly deeply concerned’, ‘and the questions they will undoubtedly raise about the fairness and integrity of our competitions’ and reveals he has asked the FA and refs’ body PGMOL for the investigations to be acted on swiftly.
A spokesperson for PGMOL told Sky Sports News: “The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.
“We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our integrity code of conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis. PGMOL board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that code be proven.
“David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter, which will be carried out independently by the FA.
“We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
A spokesperson for the FA said to Sky Sports News: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
Leeds said in a statement: “Leeds United are aware of the allegations regarding the conduct of a match official, involving our EFL Championship fixture with West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.
“We respect and have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL regulations and processes.
“We will be making no further comment at this time.”
Carragher, Keane, Neville, Wright and Scott react to David Coote in trouble with video posted
Suspended Premier League referee David Coote ‘filmed snorting white powder during Euro 2024’
New claims David Coote set up drugs party in Travelodge around Tottenham v Man City game
Premier League Official Referee, David Coote calls Jurgen Klopp an “arrogant German c***”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login