Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked by the PGMOL.
A video, which remains unverified, in which Coote appears to make derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp, was widely circulated on social media last month.
Coote, 42, was initially suspended by the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and the FA launched its own investigation.
The PGMOL investigation also related to a second video that emerged last month showing Coote allegedly snorting a white powder, allegedly during Euro 2024, where he was one of the assistant VARs for the tournament.
European football's governing body, UEFA, has also appointed an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
The PGMOL confirmed the termination of Coote's employment in a statement on Monday afternoon, saying a thorough investigation had found that he had “seriously breached the terms of his employment contract, with his position being deemed untenable”.
The full statement from PGMOL read: “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into Coote's conduct, his employment with PGMOL has today been terminated with immediate effect.
“Coote's actions were found to be a serious breach of the terms of his employment contract, resulting in his position being deemed untenable.
“Supporting Coote remains important to us and we remain committed to his well-being.
“Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”
The FA is also separately investigating an allegation – strenuously denied by Coote – that he had discussed the prospect of yellow carding a Leeds player with a fan in an online conversation before a match. The Sun claims that after Coote booked the player, he messaged the person back saying: “Hope you were supportive as discussed.”
The FA said it was investigating the allegation as “a matter of urgency”.
Coote refuted the allegations he discussed about being shown a yellow card before a match.
Coote said: “I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever problems I have had in my personal life have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in high regard. arbitrate impartially and to the best of my ability.”
PGMOL's investigation did not look into the allegation relating to Leeds' yellow card.
Timeline: What led to Coote's dismissal…
Saturday 9 November: Coote referees Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa.
Monday, November 11: An unverified video of Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp circulates on social media.
Monday, November 11: PGMOL suspends Coote and starts an investigation.
Tuesday, November 12: FA begins its own investigation into the Coote video.
Tuesday, November 12: Head referee Howard Webb tells Sky Sports' Match Officials Mic'd Up that PGMOL is taking the incident “very seriously”.
Wednesday, November 27: FA investigate allegations Coote discussed being shown a yellow card before a match, as reported by The Sun. Coote refutes the accusations.
Monday December 9: Coote fired by PGMOL.
What does “continuing to work for the good of Coote” look like?
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports News:
“Are [about] to make sure he's okay. After the investigation, his position was untenable. We have a code of conduct that we as referees must sign. They agree to live a life different from what we've seen in the last four weeks.
“When you see what happened, it must have been as much of a shock to him as it is to anyone else, considering some of these videos are four or five years old. He agreed that it was him, but when it came out, he had to I'm as shocked as anyone.
“Then you see it unfold and you can imagine the personal trauma he's going through, the turmoil in his mind. What they had to do is make sure that his well-being is as important as making the right decision and the right conclusion. process.”
'PGMOL's support for Coote important aspect of story'
Kaveh Solhekol, chief reporter for Sky Sports News:
“Once the video appeared online, PGMOL acted very, very quickly once they verified that they believed the video was authentic.
“David Coote was suspended pending an investigation, and three or four weeks later that investigation has been concluded and PGMOL has confirmed that Coote's employment contract with them has been terminated with immediate effect. They say he has seriously breached his contract. was now untenable.
“I think this is a very important aspect of this story: they say in their statement that they will continue to support Coote and that they remain committed to his well-being. He also has the right to appeal.
“Further allegations have appeared in The Sun and there is one that UEFA is investigating; they have also suspended Coote. This is an incident that is said to have taken place during the European Championships in Germany this summer. Photos appeared in The Sun showing revealed that Coote allegedly snorted a white substance.
“There was also a story in The Sun claiming that Coote had spoken to a supporter who gave a yellow card to a team before taking charge of a match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019, something the FA is investigating .
“Coote, for his part, released a statement after these allegations first emerged saying these allegations are false and defamatory.
“We will have to wait and see if there is a response from him or his representatives, but I think PGMOL has made it very clear in their statement that they have taken this decisive action. his contract, but they are concerned about his well-being and he has the right to appeal.”
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