Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked by the PGMOL after a thorough investigation was conducted on his behaviour.
The decision comes after two damning videos surfaced, including one showing Coote making offensive remarks about Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool and another allegedly showing him sniffing a white powder.
PGMOL Sack David Coote
The PGMOL released a statement on Monday:
“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.”
BREAKING: Referee David Coote sacked by PGMOL with immediate effect 🚨 pic.twitter.com/F8fCXBk0i2
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 9, 2024
The Controversial Videos
The scandal first erupted on November 11, when a video emerged showing Coote making expletive-laden comments about Klopp, whom he referred to as “arrogant,” while also making remarks about the former Liverpool manager’s nationality.
Coote also criticised Liverpool’s performance in the video, which is believed to date back to the 2020/21 season.
Shortly after, another video surfaced allegedly showing Coote sniffing a white powder, further deepening the controversy.
PGMOL stated that they took the allegations “very seriously” and were committed to supporting Coote during the investigation.
The second video is reportedly from EURO 2024, where Coote was serving as an official.
It also showed him sarcastically mocking COVID regulations, quipping, “We’re 2 metres apart” while sitting in close proximity to another individual.
Premier League referee David Coote Jurgen Klopp a “C*nt" and said this about Liverpool….. He's finished!🤦🏼♂️😳 pic.twitter.com/5Vmmon4f5q
— Football Hub (@FootbalIhub) November 11, 2024
Additional Allegations
The FA is conducting its own investigation into Coote’s comments about Klopp, as well as allegations that he premeditated a booking during a Championship match in 2019.
Messages allegedly exchanged before and after the match raised concerns about Coote’s impartiality, but he has strongly denied these claims, calling them “false and defamatory.”
Coote stated, “Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision-making on the field.”
Coote made his Premier League debut in 2018 and officiated high-profile games, including the 2023 Carabao Cup final.
However, his reputation has been severely damaged by the recent allegations, culminating in the termination of his role within PGMOL.
