David Coote, a 42-year-old Premier League referee, has been dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after a comprehensive investigation into allegations surrounding his conduct.
Coote, who first officiated in the Premier League in 2018, was suspended on November 11 following the emergence of a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool FC and their former manager Jürgen Klopp. This video referred to a contentious match between Liverpool and Burnley in 2020, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Klopp criticized Coote post-match for what he perceived as leniency toward Burnley’s physical challenges.
Two days after Coote’s suspension, further allegations surfaced when The Sun published photos purportedly showing him sniffing a white powder through a rolled-up US banknote during the summer’s European Championship. UEFA, which had employed Coote as a match official for the tournament, immediately suspended him and initiated its own investigation.
On November 27, another controversy emerged. Coote was accused of discussing a yellow card he planned to issue before a Championship game between Leeds United and West Brom in 2019. Coote denied the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.”
The PGMOL confirmed Coote’s dismissal on December 9, citing “serious breaches” of his employment contract. A statement from the refereeing body read:
“David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract. Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us, and we remain committed to his welfare.”
Coote has the right to appeal the decision.
A Distinguished Career Tarnished by Allegations
Coote had officiated 112 Premier League matches, earning a reputation as one of the PGMOL’s most dependable referees and video assistant referees (VAR). He also served as the VAR for 64 Premier League matches, 11 of which involved Liverpool.
However, his time as VAR was not without controversy. In October 2020, Coote was the VAR during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Everton, a match marred by decisions Klopp and Liverpool deemed contentious. These included a challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on Virgil van Dijk that went unpunished and a late Jordan Henderson goal disallowed for offside.
Coote was only reinstated as a VAR for Liverpool matches in September 2023, officiating seven games last season.
Impact on the Refereeing Community
Coote’s dismissal marks a rare and significant action against a Premier League official. The PGMOL is facing questions about the vetting and oversight of its referees, particularly given the severity of the allegations.
While Coote’s dismissal underscores the PGMOL’s commitment to upholding integrity, the refereeing body has emphasized its continued support for Coote’s well-being.
Fans and pundits alike will watch closely to see how this episode influences the standards and scrutiny of Premier League referees moving forward.
