Premier League Referee David Coote Sacked After Investigation
Premier League referee David Coote has been dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a "serious breach" of his employment contract.
The decision, announced on Monday, comes after multiple allegations about his conduct, including derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp, and an incident involving alleged drug use during Euro 2024.
In a statement, the PGMOL said, “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into Coote's conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect. Coote's actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable. Supporting Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare. Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”
Coote, 42, was suspended by PGMOL in mid-November after a video surfaced showing him making critical remarks about Liverpool and Klopp. The comments reportedly referenced a 2020 match between Liverpool and Burnley, where Klopp criticized Coote's officiating. Soon after, another video emerged allegedly showing Coote snorting a white substance during his role as an assistant VAR at Euro 2024.
FA and UEFA investigate Coote
The FA and UEFA have launched separate investigations. UEFA suspended Coote from his Euro 2024 duties while probing the alleged drug use, while the FA is looking into claims that he discussed giving a yellow card to a Leeds player in an online conversation before a 2019 match against West Brom. Coote denies the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.”
A report by The Sun alleges Coote messaged a fan before the match, discussing a potential booking for Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski. After the yellow card was issued, Coote allegedly followed up with, "I hope you backed as discussed." Coote firmly refuted the claims, stating, "Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision-making on the field."
Despite the serious nature of the accusations, sources who spoke with ESPN indicate Coote’s dismissal was primarily tied to his overall conduct rather than any single incident. Coote, who began officiating Premier League games in 2018, had overseen 112 matches in the league, including several Liverpool fixtures. He was also a regular Video Assistant Referee (VAR), having participated in 64 Premier League matches in that role.
As investigations continue, the case has raised broader questions about referee accountability and the impact of personal conduct on professional roles in football. The PGMOL has emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game while offering support to Coote during this period.
This decision marks a significant moment for the officiating community, underscoring the importance of maintaining professional standards both on and off the field.
