David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has been banned by UEFA until June 30, 2026, after a series of controversies surrounding his conduct. The decision follows a tumultuous period that saw Coote sacked by PGMOL after being found in serious breach of his employment contract.
The troubles for Coote began on November 11, 2024, when an unverified video surfaced online. In this clip, he made derogatory remarks about Liverpool Football Club and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp. The fallout was immediate; PGMOL suspended Coote on the same day and launched an investigation into his comments.
Just days before the video emerged, Coote officiated a match between Liverpool and Aston Villa, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the home side. However, his performance was overshadowed by the allegations that followed. The Football Association (FA) commenced its own probe into the video on November 12, as well as allegations that Coote had discussed issuing a yellow card to a player prior to the match.
As the investigations progressed, a second video came to light, appearing to show Coote allegedly using a white powder. PGMOL confirmed they were aware of this new footage as early as November 14 and indicated that they were treating the incident with utmost seriousness. The ongoing inquiries included scrutiny from UEFA, which appointed an ethics investigator to examine the situation further.
Coote has refuted all allegations made against him, maintaining his innocence amid the growing scrutiny. Nevertheless, UEFA's decision to ban him for bringing the sport into disrepute marks a significant consequence of his actions and the resulting investigations.
The ramifications of this incident extend beyond Coote himself; they serve as a reminder of the standards expected from officials in professional sports. The FA's inquiry into the matter continues, and it remains to be seen if further actions will be taken against him or if additional revelations will emerge as investigations proceed.
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