The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has suspended Premier League referee David Coote as new allegations regarding his conduct have emerged, triggering investigations by both PGMOL and UEFA. Coote, 42, is currently under scrutiny following the release of a video in which he appeared to make disparaging comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Further controversy arose when The Sun published images allegedly taken during the summer’s European Championship, in which Coote appears to be seen sniffing a white substance through a rolled-up US banknote.
As Coote was officiating at the Euros as part of his duties as a match official, UEFA responded swiftly. The governing body confirmed it had suspended him and initiated an investigation, appointing an ethics and disciplinary inspector to assess whether Coote breached its regulations. In a statement, UEFA noted that Coote was removed from an international commitment this week following these allegations.
PGMOL, the referees’ body overseeing match officials in English football, has expressed its commitment to addressing the situation. “We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously,” a PGMOL spokesperson said, adding that Coote’s welfare remains a priority.
Although The Sun claims the images were shared with a friend on multiple occasions during the tournament, neither the video nor the photos have been independently verified by the BBC. Coote has yet to publicly respond to the allegations, and his future as a match official may depend on the outcomes of these investigations.
This incident has sparked significant discussion within the football community, with some pundits and fans expressing concerns about refereeing standards and accountability. Coote’s suspension highlights an ongoing challenge for governing bodies to maintain integrity and trust in officiating as they work to resolve these allegations.
