Premier League referee David Coote has been dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a comprehensive investigation into his conduct.
Coote, 42, was suspended by PGMOL on November 11 after a video allegedly showing him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp, surfaced on social media.
The situation escalated two days later when The Sun published photos, reportedly taken during this summer’s European Championship, that allegedly show Coote using a rolled-up U.S. banknote to sniff a white substance.
In a statement, PGMOL described Coote’s actions as rendering his position “untenable.”
The BBC has not independently verified the video or the photos in question.
“David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract,” the PGMOL said.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.”
Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.
How did we get here?
The PGMOL first took action against Coote on 11 November following the release of a video on social media, which allegedly showed him criticizing Liverpool and their former manager Klopp.
The video appeared to refer to a Premier League match that Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which finished 1-1.
Klopp criticized Coote after the game, saying the referee failed to give fouls for challenges made on Liverpool’s players.
The FA opened an investigation the following day.
On 13 November, the PGMOL said it was taking further allegations “very seriously” following the publication of images appearing to show Coote sniffing a white powder.
Coote was working at the Euros in his capacity as a match official and Uefa, European football’s governing body, also suspended Coote as it launched its investigation.
On 27 November, the FA opened a new investigation following an allegation that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019.
A report in the Sun claimed Coote exchanged messages with a fan discussing giving a yellow card before and after the game.
Coote denied any wrongdoing and said the allegation was “false and defamatory”.
The contents of the report have not been verified by the BBC
The exchange referred to a booking Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski received in the match from Coote. There is no suggestion of any financial gain by Coote and the booking is regarded as entirely correct.
What are Coote’s refereeing stats?
David Coote first officiated a Premier League match in April 2018, overseeing West Brom’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle United. Since then, he has officiated 112 Premier League games, including three Liverpool fixtures:
- July 2020: 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield.
- March 2024: 2-1 win against Brighton at Anfield.
- November 2024: 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield.
In addition to these league matches, Coote has refereed Liverpool in five cup fixtures.
As one of PGMOL’s top-rated Video Assistant Referees (VAR), Coote has served as VAR for 64 Premier League matches, 11 involving Liverpool. His first Liverpool match as VAR was in September 2019.
Notably, Coote was the VAR in the controversial October 2020 Merseyside derby, which ended 2-2. The match saw Liverpool request a review of two key VAR decisions:
- No red card for Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
- A stoppage-time Jordan Henderson goal disallowed for offside.
Following the criticism, Coote was not appointed as VAR for Liverpool’s Premier League matches until September 2023. He later served as VAR in seven Liverpool games during the 2023/24 season.