What we know about David Coote's four investigations as banned referee hit with new probe
Referee David Coote, already suspended for misconduct allegations, has vehemently denied claims he discussed booking a Leeds player during a Championship game - with the FA opening a new investigation
by Alan Smith · The MirrorEnglish football has been rocked after the FA confirmed they are now investigating suspended referee David Coote as part of a betting probe.
Earlier this month the 42-year-old was suspended by refereeing body PGMOL when a video was leaked in which he calls former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a “German c***.”
Another video was subsequently leaked in which Coote is allegedly seen snorting a white powder from a table in a clip filmed during the summer’s European Championships in Germany.
But the latest claims, which Coote has vehemently denied, have prompted a separate investigation that could, if proven, have seismic consequences for the entire professional game. Here is everything we know about the banned referee and what is expected to happen next.
What has Coote been accused of?
There are now three separate accusations and four different investigations.
- The Klopp video was made public on November 11, leading to his immediate suspension by PGMOL and soon after UEFA.
- The white powder video was published by the Sun on November 13, with PGMOL confirming it was aware of the clip but would not comment further with Coote already under investigation.
- And the betting probe was revealed overnight with Coote accused of discussing, in phone messages, giving a yellow card during a Championship game between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. The exchange appears to refer to Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski being booked by Coote during the match. There is no suggestion of Coote gaining financially and the booking was regarded as a correct decision. Leeds said they are aware of the allegation, adding that “we respect and have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL regulations and processes.”
Who is investigating?
When the Klopp video leaked on November 11, PGMOL were swift in announcing Coote’s suspension while they carry out a thorough investigation into accusations of misconduct.
The FA and UEFA have also launched misconduct investigations with the latter removing Coote from their list of match officials.
But the FA have now confirmed that they are investigating the yellow card reports “as a matter of urgency."
PGMOL say that probe will be carried out "independently by the FA” but they take a “zero-tolerance” approach and are “committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that code be proven.”
What happens next?
No timescales have been set on any of the investigations and this is uncharted territory with no precedent involving match officials being investigated over such serious offences.
While not an exact comparison, players who have been investigated around alleged betting issues have faced months long waits before finding out the judgments.
The FA have stressed urgency but the entire process is not expected to reach a swift conclusion.
PGMOL have also stated that they are monitoring Coote’s welfare closely during the investigations.
Has Coote commented on the allegations?
He has released a statement regarding the yellow card claim, saying: "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.
"I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability."
Coote acknowledges that he is the man in the Klopp video but said at the time of the leak that he had no recollection of making the comments.
Will Coote referee again?
There may not be any precedent to compare with but if any of the investigations lead to a formal charge his time as a professional referee may well be over.
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