David Coote has been dismissed from his role as a Premier League referee following an investigation into his off-field behavior. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees refereeing in English football, announced that Coote had breached his contract in serious ways, leading to his immediate termination.
The investigation centered around two key allegations that surfaced in November, both damaging to Coote’s reputation. The first was a video that showed the 42-year-old referee making inappropriate and foul-mouthed remarks about Jürgen Klopp, who was managing Liverpool at the time.
The second major allegation emerged from another video published by a tabloid newspaper, which allegedly showed Coote snorting a substance that appeared to be white powder. This video added to the concerns about Coote’s conduct, prompting further scrutiny from both his employers and external authorities..
PGMOL issued a statement confirming that following a thorough investigation into Coote’s conduct, the decision to end his employment had been made with immediate effect. The organization emphasized that Coote’s actions were in serious breach of his contractual obligations, which led to the conclusion that he could no longer continue in his role as a Premier League referee. PGMOL also noted that Coote had been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations, but ultimately, his actions were deemed incompatible with the values expected of officials in the sport.
In addition to his immediate dismissal, Coote is facing three further investigations. The Football Association (FA) is looking into claims that Coote discussed the potential for awarding a yellow card to a player in a private conversation with a friend. The allegations focus on an exchange of messages before and after Coote refereed a Championship match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019. In this match, Coote issued a yellow card to Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski. The FA is investigating whether Coote had pre-determined the decision, which would raise serious concerns about the integrity of his officiating. Coote has vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as false and defamatory.
The FA is also looking into the language Coote used when discussing Klopp in the leaked video. This is part of a broader investigation into whether his comments contravened rules regarding protected characteristics. Such language would violate the code of conduct for referees, which requires that officials maintain a high standard of professionalism and respect toward individuals in the game, particularly when discussing other coaches or players.
Meanwhile, UEFA has launched its own investigation into the allegations of drug use, which are tied to Coote’s role as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the UEFA European Championship last summer. The video, which surfaced as part of the ongoing scandal, allegedly shows Coote engaging in behavior that raises questions about his professionalism and suitability for high-level officiating. As a result of this investigation, Coote has been suspended from UEFA’s VAR list, further damaging his career and reputation.
Coote began his refereeing career in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually joining the elite Select Group of referees. His most prominent moment as a referee came in 2023 when he officiated the Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United. His career, however, was not without controversy. In particular, Coote faced criticism for his role as a VAR official during an Everton-Liverpool match, in which he chose not to penalize Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for a challenge that resulted in a serious knee injury for Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk. This decision was heavily criticized, with many feeling that it was a clear error.
The recent allegations and subsequent dismissal have overshadowed Coote’s career and raised concerns about his conduct both on and off the field. The ongoing investigations into his actions will likely determine whether he is permanently banned from officiating in any capacity or whether he may eventually return to the sport.
In addition to the professional fallout, the scandal has raised concerns for Coote’s personal safety. PGMOL has expressed its commitment to supporting Coote through this difficult period, emphasizing the importance of ensuring his well-being. Despite the severity of the allegations, the organization has made it clear that Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment. However, given the seriousness of the claims and the damage done to his reputation, it remains unclear whether he will be able to return to officiating at the highest level.
The case of David Coote has sent shockwaves through the world of football, highlighting the high standards of behavior expected from officials and the potential consequences of falling short of those expectations. As the investigations continue, both the footballing community and the general public will be watching closely to see what the final outcome will be for the former Premier League referee.
