Premier League referee, David Coote sacked over allegations of impropriety

Premier League referee David Coote has been dismissed by the referees’ governing body, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), following a “thorough investigation” into multiple allegations of misconduct.

Coote, 42, was initially suspended on November 11 after a video surfaced on social media allegedly showing him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp.

The comments reportedly referred to a controversial Premier League match in July 2020 between Liverpool and Burnley, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp had criticized Coote’s officiating in that game for not awarding fouls on Liverpool players.

Two days later, further allegations emerged when The Sun published photos allegedly depicting Coote using a rolled-up U.S. banknote to sniff a white powder during this summer’s European Championship.

UEFA, the European football governing body, subsequently suspended Coote pending its own inquiry.

On November 27, the Football Association (FA) launched a separate investigation into claims that Coote had engaged in inappropriate pre-match discussions with a fan about issuing a yellow card before a Championship game between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in 2019.

Coote denied the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.” The yellow card in question, issued to Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski, has been deemed correct, with no evidence of financial misconduct involved.

The PGMOL, in a statement, declared Coote’s actions to be “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract,” rendering his position “untenable.”

Despite the termination of his employment, the organization emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting Coote’s welfare.

Coote has the right to appeal the decision.