Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked by the PGMOL.
A video, which remains unverified, appearing to show Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp was widely circulated on social media last month.
Coote, 42, was initially suspended by the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and the FA launched its own investigation.
The PGMOL investigation also covered a second video which emerged last month, appearing to show Coote allegedly snorting a white powder, purportedly during Euro 2024 where he was one of the assistant VARs for the tournament.
European football’s governing body UEFA also appointed an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
The PGMOL confirmed the termination of Coote’s employment in a statement on Monday afternoon, saying that a thorough investigation concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”.
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Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol explains why Coote was sacked by the PGMOL and what happens now
The full statement from the PGMOL read: “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.
“Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.
“Supporting Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.
“Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”
The FA is also separately investigating an allegation – strenuously denied by Coote – that he discussed the prospect of giving a Leeds player a yellow card with a fan prior to a match in an online conversation. The Sun alleges after Coote booked the player, he messaged the individual back to say: “I hope you backed as discussed.”
The FA said it was investigating the allegation as “a matter of urgency”.
Coote refuted the allegations he discussed giving a yellow card before a match.
Coote said: “I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”
PGMOL’s investigation did not look at the allegation relating to the Leeds yellow card.
Timeline: What led to Coote’s dismissal…
Saturday November 9: Coote referees Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa.
Monday November 11: An unverified video of Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp circulates on social media.
Monday November 11: PGMOL suspends Coote and launches an investigation.
Tuesday November 12: FA begins own investigation into Coote video.
Tuesday November 12: Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb says on Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up that PGMOL taking the incident “very seriously”.
Thursday November 14: PGMOL aware of new video appearing to show Coote snorting a white powder while reportedly working at Euro 2024.
Wednesday November 27: FA investigating allegations Coote discussed giving a yellow card before a game as reported by The Sun. Coote refutes allegations.
Monday December 9: Coote sacked by PGMOL.
What does ‘remaining committed to Coote’s welfare’ look like?
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports News:
“It’s [about] making sure he’s OK. After the investigation, his position was untenable. We have a code of conduct that we have to sign as referees. They agree to lead a life that’s outside of what we’ve seen over the last four weeks.
“If you see what’s happened, it must have been as big a shock for him as everyone else when you bear in mind some of these videos are four or five years old. He agreed it was him, but when it came out, he must’ve been as shocked as everybody.
“Then you see it unfold and you can imagine the personal trauma he is going through, the turmoil in his head. What they’ve had to do is make sure his welfare is as important as getting the right decision and the right conclusion to this process.”
‘PGMOL’s support for Coote an important aspect of story’
Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“Once the video emerged online, PGMOL acted very, very quickly as soon as they had verified they believed the video was authentic.
“David Coote was suspended, pending an investigation, and three or four weeks later, that investigation has been completed and PGMOL have confirmed that Coote’s employment contract with them has been terminated with immediate effect. They say he was in serious breach of his contract, that his position was now untenable.
“I think this is a really important aspect of this story that, in their statement, they do say they will continue to support Coote and they say they remain committed to his welfare. He does have the right of appeal as well.
“There are some more allegations that have appeared in The Sun and there is one that UEFA are investigating; they suspended Coote as well. This is an incident which is alleged to have happened during the Euros this summer in Germany. Pictures appeared in The Sun, which appeared to show Coote allegedly sniffing a white substance.
“There was also a story in The Sun, which alleged Coote had discussed with a supporter giving a yellow card to a team before he took charge of a game between Leeds and West Brom in 2019, which is something the FA are looking into.
“For his part, Coote released a statement after those allegations first came out and said those allegations are false and defamatory.
“We will have to wait and see if there is a response from him or his representatives, but I think PGMOL make it very clear in their statement that they have taken this decisive action, they believe his position is untenable, he is in breach of his contract, but they are concerned about his welfare and he does have the right of appeal.”
