David Coote issues statement as shamed Premier League ref engulfed in another scandal
Suspended referee David Coote has released a statement to address fresh allegations that he discussed booking a Leeds player before taking charge of a Championship match
David Coote insists that his personal issues have never compromised his refereeing after The Football Association launched an investigation into his conduct.
Coote is currently suspended from his role as a Premier League referee after an old video went viral on social media in which he described ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a “German c***”. The 42-year-old was then hit by a second scandal when a clip of him allegedly snorting a white powder also emerged.
Coote was suspended by UEFA just before the second video was published. A spokesperson for the organisation told Mirror Football : "The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on 11 November - in advance of the upcoming round of UEFA matches - when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour."
He has not publicly commented on the two previous scandals, although the PGMOL have put out various statements where the insist "David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us". A further allegation has now surfaced which involves Coote allegedly speaking to someone before refereeing a Championship fixture between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.
He is alleged to have discussed giving a yellow card and wrote: “I hope you backed as discussed.” The FA told The Sun they are investigating the “very serious allegations as a matter of urgency”. Coote accepts that a “conversation” took place but has denied any wrongdoing.
“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,” he said in a statement. “I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”
It is alleged that Coote got chatting to a Leeds supporter he met online, telling them he was refereeing Leeds against West Brom the following day. “Yeah really good I’ve got Leeds tomorrow,” he allegedly said.
The friend then allegedly replied: “Ooh big game. We still on for what we discussed (Alioski). Maybe I could join you if so.” Coote replied: “Haha don’t know what you mean.”
The friend responded: “Haha well I’m off to back it in the morning so don’t let me down.”
Ezgjan Alioski was booked in the 18th minute of the match, which Leeds won 1-0. The report says that the yellow card for the Leeds defender has been adjudged by football experts to have been 'fully justified'.
The PGMOL said in a statement: “The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis.
“PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that Code be proven. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by the FA. We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
Leeds said in a statement: “Leeds United are aware of the allegations regarding the conduct of a match official, involving our EFL Championship fixture with West Bromwich Albion in October 2019. We respect and have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL regulations and processes. We will be making no further comment at this time.”
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