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The English Football Association (FA) has launched an urgent investigation into allegations involving referee David Coote, who is accused of discussing issuing a yellow card to Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski before a match against West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.
The investigation, first reported by The Sun, follows claims that Coote had spoken to a fan online the day before the match, suggesting he would issue a yellow card to Alioski.
According to the report, the fan and Coote then exchanged messages after the match, with Coote allegedly writing, “What a day yesterday. I hope you backed as discussed.”
An FA spokesperson explained the seriousness of the allegations.
“These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
Coote, however, denied the claims, releasing a statement in which he strongly refuted any wrongdoing.
“I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations,” he said.
“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.”
This new investigation comes amid a series of troubling incidents involving Coote.
Earlier this month, the 42-year-old official was suspended by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after two separate videos surfaced online.
One showed Coote making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp, while the other, filmed in July, appeared to show him sniffing a white powder at a UEFA-appointed hotel following his Euro 2024 assignment.
PGMOL issued a statement confirming Coote’s suspension.
“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.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Leeds United, the team involved in the October 2019 match, issued a statement acknowledging the allegations but refrained from further comment.
“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.”
As the FA continues its investigation, Coote’s career hangs in the balance, with his integrity as a referee now under intense scrutiny.
