David Coote has opted not to appeal his dismissal as a Premier League referee following a series of controversies that led to his sacking by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Coote, who was suspended in November, came under scrutiny after a video surfaced in which he was heard using offensive language about Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, referring to him as a “German c***” and describing the club as “s***.” His reputation was further tarnished when another video emerged allegedly showing him snorting a white powder, which was claimed to have been filmed shortly after he worked as the VAR during France’s Euro 2024 quarter-final victory over Portugal.
In a statement confirming Coote’s dismissal, PGMOL explained that a thorough investigation had found his actions to be in serious breach of his employment contract, deeming his position untenable. The organization emphasized its ongoing support for Coote’s welfare, but confirmed the termination was immediate and final. While Coote had the right to appeal, reports indicate that he has chosen not to pursue this route and has accepted the end of his career as a Premier League official.
Additionally, Coote remains under investigation by the Football Association (FA) concerning allegations related to a Championship match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019, which Coote refereed. It was claimed that Coote had discussed the booking of Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski with a fan online prior to the match. Coote, however, strongly denied any wrongdoing, issuing a statement that refuted the allegations, asserting that his personal life had never interfered with his decision-making on the field.
“I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations,” Coote 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.”
The FA has launched an urgent investigation into the betting allegations, calling them “very serious.”
Coote’s departure from Premier League officiating marks a dramatic fall from grace for a referee who had been a prominent figure in English football.
Leave a Reply