David Coote, a prominent Premier League referee, has been dismissed from his position by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a detailed investigation into his conduct. The 42-year-old official, who had been suspended on November 11, faced scrutiny after a video surfaced online allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool FC and its former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
The controversy surrounding Coote deepened two days later when the Sun newspaper published photos taken during this summer’s European Championship. The images, which allegedly depicted Coote inhaling a white powder through a rolled-up banknote, prompted the PGMOL to open a further investigation into the matter.
In response to these incidents, the PGMOL concluded that Coote’s actions had violated the terms of his employment contract and rendered his position as a Premier League referee untenable. While the organization expressed regret over the situation, it affirmed that supporting Coote’s welfare remained important.
A statement from PGMOL 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.” However, Coote has been given the opportunity to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.
This marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of the referee’s actions, casting a shadow over his career in top-flight football.
Gathered by: Onoro Promise Edesiri