David Coote fired after scandalous videos surface
- David Coote was seen publicly for the first time after being sacked by PGMOL.
- He was dismissed following a series of scandals, including derogatory remarks against Jurgen Klopp.
- The termination of his contract has raised questions about the integrity of refereeing in football.
In December 2024, David Coote, a former referee in the Premier League, was seen for the first time since being dismissed from his position by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a significant investigation into his behavior. Coote, aged 42, first came under scrutiny after a video surfaced on social media in which he used derogatory language towards Jurgen Klopp, the former manager of Liverpool. The incident, which drew widespread public attention, featured Coote calling Klopp a "German c***," prompting an internal review by PGMOL. The investigation resulted in Coote's suspension and subsequent termination overtaking the serious breach of his employment contract. The decision was made swiftly by PGMOL, which released a statement indicating that his actions rendered his position as a referee untenable. Following the conclusion of the investigation, the organization emphasized its commitment to Coote's welfare while affirming the appropriate nature of their decision. Coote has a right to appeal the termination, illustrating the complexities surrounding disciplinary actions within professional sports. In addition to the incident involving Klopp, Coote had become embroiled in additional controversies. A second video that emerged reportedly depicted him in a compromising situation, allegedly snorting a white powder shortly after serving as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during a high-stakes Euro 2024 quarter-final match in which France triumphed over Portugal. This further compounded the scrutiny surrounding his professional behavior and contributed to PGMOL's decision to sever ties with him. Moreover, a betting scandal surfaced in late November, where Coote was accused of discussing the possibility of booking Leeds United player's Ezgjan Alioski during a match against West Bromwich Albion. During discussions with a Leeds supporter, Coote allegedly remarked, "I hope you backed as discussed," casting shadows over the integrity of officiating in football. Coote has since publicly denied these allegations, claiming they are False and defamatory, and asserted that his personal issues have never impacted his decisions on the field. He emphasized his dedication to maintaining the integrity of the game as he faced the fallout from the various scandals impacting his career.