Premier League referee David Coote has been dismissed with immediate effect following a serious breach of contract, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) announced today.
The decision comes after a thorough investigation revealed that Coote’s actions violated key provisions of his employment agreement.
A statement from PGMOL read: “David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.”
While specific details regarding the nature of the breach have not been disclosed, the news has sent shockwaves throughout the football world.
Coote, who has officiated in numerous high-profile Premier League matches, had become a familiar face in the world of top-flight officiating.
The 42-year-old referee has the right to appeal the decision, but he has yet to make a public statement.
The nature of the breach is expected to be clarified soon, though it is believed to be related to explosive new revelations involving Coote’s conduct during the Euro 2024 tournament.
Shocking Video and Allegations Surface
The scandal first broke after an exclusive video was leaked to The Sun, showing Coote snorting what appears to be cocaine in a hotel room during the Euro 2024 tournament.
The eight-second video, recorded on July 6—just one day after the quarter-final match between France and Portugal—shows Coote, wide-eyed and visibly altered, using a rolled-up banknote to snort a four-inch line of white powder.
The video was filmed in a UEFA-funded hotel room, and next to the cocaine are prescription drug packets, a credit card, and a novel, The Year of The Locust by Terry Hayes.
The referee reportedly sent the video to a friend, who is believed to have shared it with the press.
Adding to the controversy, another photo, taken five days earlier on July 1 in Frankfurt, surfaced showing Coote’s credit cards beside six lines of suspicious white powder on a saucer. This image was also reportedly sent to the same friend.
The scandal deepened with revelations about Coote’s derogatory remarks. It is alleged that Coote called former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t” in a separate conversation.
Additionally, Coote is said to have made disparaging comments about Everton FC and Liverpool player Andy Robertson, which are now central to an investigation by both the PGMOL and the Football Association (FA).
Immediate Fallout
As a result of these shocking revelations, Coote has been suspended from officiating during the international break, and UEFA has removed him from their roster for upcoming games.
The PGMOL and FA are investigating the full extent of his actions, with some questioning how much of an impact these revelations could have on the future of officiating in the Premier League.
Coote’s sudden and dramatic fall from grace has left the football community reeling. While questions remain about the full scope of his misconduct, one thing is certain: his time in the spotlight appears to be over for now.
