David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has received a 16-month ban from UEFA competitions. This decision comes after UEFA found he had violated conduct rules and tarnished the image of the sport.
On November 11, 2023, Coote was suspended by the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) after controversial videos surfaced online. One video showed Coote making disrespectful remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. Following this, UEFA launched an investigation into his behavior.
In December, PGMOL terminated Coote’s contract as part of the fallout from the investigations. Another troubling video surfaced, allegedly showing him engaging in questionable behavior. Coote has denied ongoing allegations related to betting and insists they are unfounded.
Coote’s remarks in one video included harsh criticism of Liverpool’s performance and Klopp himself. He recorded these comments during a match between Liverpool and Burnley in the 2019-20 season while serving as the fourth official. He expressed disdain for Klopp’s attitude toward him, calling him “arrogant” and using foul language.
In a later interview, Coote discussed his challenges with sexuality and addiction. He admitted that hiding who he is contributed to his poor decisions. He acknowledged using cocaine as a means to cope with stress but stressed that it wasn’t a habit he maintained consistently. “It fills me with a huge sense of shame to say that I took that route,” he said.
Regarding other accusations, Coote was involved in a separate investigation related to a yellow card issued to Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski during a Championship match. Some reports suggested Coote might have discussed this booking with a friend beforehand, but he denied any wrongdoing related to that incident.
Coote officiated his last Premier League match on November 9, when Liverpool faced Aston Villa. He began his career in top-flight football in the 2017-18 season and was recognized as a Select One referee, the highest level in the UK.
These events mark a significant fall from grace for Coote and have raised questions about integrity in officiating.
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