Premier League referee David Coote was dismissed on Monday after the English soccer referees’ body deemed his position “untenable” following an investigation into his conduct.
Coote was suspended by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) recently after a video surfaced in The Sun, showing him making offensive remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp to friends.
Additionally, UEFA has launched an investigation into Coote after another video, also published by The Sun, allegedly shows him using cocaine during the recent European Championship. He is also under scrutiny by the Football Association over claims that he discussed the possibility of issuing a yellow card to a player with a fan. Coote has denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement, PGMOL confirmed that Coote’s employment was terminated immediately following the investigation, citing serious breaches of his employment contract that rendered his position untenable. The organization emphasized its commitment to Coote’s welfare, stating, “Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us.”
Coote has the right to appeal the decision.
The videos in question appear to show Coote expressing his personal views on Liverpool and Klopp, using an expletive to describe the club and referring to Klopp as “arrogant” and accusing him of lying after a match. The timing of the footage’s recording and its authenticity remain unclear. In a subsequent clip, the individuals involved emphasize the importance of keeping the footage private.
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