FINAL WHISTLE
Scandal-hit Premier League ref David Coote SACKED after videos emerged of anti-Klopp rant and snorting white powder
The 42-year-old was caught on video labelling the former Reds boss a 'German c***'
DAVID Coote has been sacked as a Premier League referee.
Videos previously emerged of the under-fire official ranting about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and snorting a white powder.
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The PGMOL, who are responsible for refereeing in English professional football, were investigating the anti-Liverpool matter and suspended Coote pending an outcome.
They have now confirmed his employment has been terminated.
A statement said Coote's actions were in "serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract", but added the organisation remains "committed to his welfare".
The 42-year-old was filmed labelling the former Reds boss a "German c***".
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The Sun then exclusively revealed a film of Coote snorting what appears to be cocaine while officiating at this summer's Euros in Germany.
In the eight-second WhatsApp clip, he was wide-eyed as he used a rolled-up US banknote to snort a four-inch line of the substance in his Uefa-funded hotel room.
The previous day, the official had acted as a VAR for France's quarter-final shootout win over Portugal.
A PGMOL statement read: "Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.
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"David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.
"Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.
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"David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment."
Uefa had already removed Coote from their matchlist for a Nations League game during the international break.
Meanwhile, FIFA are also looking into his part-time position with them.
The sensational videos were set to end Coote’s career and cost him a fortune in lost earnings.
As a Select Group 1 referee he is understood to earn in the region of £100,000 a year.
KLOPP RANT
The initial video posted in November shows Coote laying into Klopp and labelling him "f***ing arrogant".
He also said Liverpool were "s**t" in the footage, which was recorded several years ago.
Coote has not denied the authenticity of the video but said he "does not recall" making it.
The official has history with Klopp, who left the Kop giants in May.
They clashed after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield in July 2020 during the pandemic-hit season.
The explosive comments cast serious doubt on his impartiality and suitability to referee in English football again.
The man who filmed Coote's anti-Liverpool rant has been named as former Nottinghamshire cricketer Ben Kitt.
Kitt has also reportedly been suspended from his job.
Shocking David Coote video in full
First video
First man: "What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?"
Second man (allegedly Coote): "Erm Liverpool were s***."
First man: "What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?"
Second man (allegedly Coote): "C***, absolute c***."
First man: "Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?"
Second man (allegedly Coote): "Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.
"Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me - and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.
"So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner."
First man: "James Milner, he gets on with James Milner."
Second man (allegedly Coote): "You can see me there with mask on."
First man: "Mask on, obviously."
Second man (allegedly Coote): "Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart."
First man: "We have to social distance."
Second man (allegedly Coote): "Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me."
First man: "Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers."
Second video
Second man (allegedly Coote): "Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously."
First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let's not f***ing ruin his career.
"Like let's face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend."
Second man (allegedly Coote): "So, yeah."
First man: "So lets not ruin his career."
After the video emerged, PGMOL chief Howard Webb said: "We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously.
"We’ve instigated a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.
"There’s not much more I can say at this stage until we’ve worked through that investigation."
BETTING PROBE
The referee is also at the centre of an FA betting probe after it emerged he discussed giving a yellow card before a match.
The conversation occurred as Leeds took on West Brom in the Championship in October 2019.
During the game, he booked Leeds ace Ezgjan Alioski for a foul on Darnell Furlong, which experts have suggested was justified.
The 42-year-old messaged pals after the game saying: “I hope you backed as discussed.”
It is understood that Coote accepts a discussion took place, but claims it was only “banter” and nothing improper took place.
The FA said it was investigating the “very serious allegations as a matter of urgency”.
MARK HALSEY It's a shame it came to this for David Coote - but his position is untenable
By Mark Halsey, Sun Sport Columnist and Ex-Premier League Referee
IT is a great shame it came to this for David Coote.
But it was inevitable that he would lose his job as a Premier League referee after the release of the videos showing him abusing Jurgen Klopp and appearing to snort white powder.
His position at the PGMOL had become untenable.
You have got to feel sorry for David — he could have refereed for another ten years and potentially earned £2million-plus during that period.
He will look back and think he has made some bad choices.
But everybody deserves another chance and the PGMOL will be supporting him.
I hope they look after him with an exit package and he has a right to appeal, so David will be considering all his options.
However, once you are out of the PGMOL, they wash your hands of you — as I discovered when I left.
There could possibly be a way back into refereeing for him, as Bobby Madley showed after he was sacked in 2018.
Madley lost his job as a Premier League referee over a “dark-homoured joke” about a video of a disabled person.
He refereed in Norway for a while and is now back in England working in the Championship.
Leeds have broken their silence on the matter with the release of a statement.
It read: "Leeds United are aware of allegations regarding the conduct of a match official, involving our Championship fixture v WBA in Oct 2019.
"We respect & have full confidence in the FA, EFL & PGMOL regulations & processes.
"We will be making no further comment at this time."
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Coote has denied any wrongdoing in relation to this matter.
There has also been no suggestion that he made any financial gains.
Coote maintained his innocence on the matter in a statement and claimed he has always held the "integrity of the game in the highest regard".
A statement read: “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.”
Last month, SunSport's bombshell exclusive showed Coote snorting the white powder on his bedside table alongside scattered packets of prescription drugs, a credit card, and the Terry Hayes novel The Year of The Locust.
He sent the clip to a pal and it’s believed he filmed himself in the hotel he stayed in during the tournament.
The ref sent another photo from Frankfurt on July 1. It showed his credit cards on a saucer either side of six chopped-up lines of suspicious white powder.
Other videos were sent over the summer from France, where Coote officiated at three football matches at the Paris Olympics.
The friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, also reveals that the referee made other derogatory remarks about Everton and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
Coote branded Goodison Park - the ground of Liverpool’s rivals Everton - as the worst place to referee due to the fans “shouting abuse so close to the pitch”.
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He hates officiating at Bournemouth games because it’s “too far away” and moaned he was “too big” to have to ref at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena for their Championship clash against Oxford United on August 16.
The pal is speaking out to highlight Coote apparently bragging of taking drugs repeatedly during tournaments and big Prem matches.
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