Fresh David Coote allegations spark EFL into urging clubs to step up security

The EFL has written to all its clubs following David Coote's latest allegations, urging them to increase security around referees at upcoming matches.

In a late email seen by Mail Sport, chief executive Trevor Birch added that he was 'clearly deeply concerned' by the explosive betting claims surrounding the official 'and the questions they will undoubtedly raise about the fairness and integrity of our competitions' and reveals that he has asked the FA and refereeing body PGMOL for a quick resolution to their investigation.

Coote has been suspended since video footage of him launching an X-rated rant about then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was made public.

Then another video emerged, appearing to show him snorting a white powder while on duty at the summer Euros.

And last night, in the latest development, the FA confirmed that Coote was the subject of a gambling investigation following fresh allegations in The Sun that he exchanged messages with a friend before a Leeds United match with West Bromwich Albion in 2019 in which he was asked to book Ezgjan Alioski of the home team.

Coote, who strongly denies wrongdoing, booked Alioski after 17 minutes for a foul on Darnell Furlong in the championship match.

The Sun claims he then messaged the friend, reportedly a Leeds fan he was trying to impress after meeting online, saying: 'Hope you were supportive as discussed'. There is no indication that Coote, 42, received any financial benefit from the exchange.

Minutes after the story went public last night, Birch emailed all EFL clubs and told them he recognized the 'reputational damage this latest report will cause to the league and its clubs'.

Birch added that while 'due process must be followed', he had asked for investigations by PGMOL and the FA to be completed 'as quickly and practically as possible so that the outcome can be communicated to all 72 clubs'.

And the director concluded: 'Given the expected attention to this matter in the coming days, we would ask clubs to consider the security arrangements they have put in place to support match officials on match days, as we know that these types of allegations unfortunately impact not just one, but all match officials throughout the match'.

In the messages, Coote says he has to referee the match at Elland Road, to which the friend replies that he should give a yellow card to Leeds full back Alioski so he can place a bet before the match.

A day before the match, Coote confirms that he can take the lead, to which the friend replies: 'Ooh big game. We are still working on what we discussed (Alioski). Maybe I can join you if so.'

Coote replies, “Haha, I don't know what you mean,” to which the friend replies, “Haha, I'm going there tomorrow morning, so don't let me down.”

Coote responds: 'Haha, we'll see.'

The subsequent booking was a legitimate foul and there seems to be no doubt about that. Alioski then scored the only goal of the match. The next day, Coote messaged his friend again, saying, “What a day yesterday. I hope you supported it as discussed.”

The friend responds by saying he didn't take a bet, but he thought another friend did. “Haha, then he'll have to share it with you,” Coote replies.

Coote issued his own statement, saying he “strongly refutes these false and defamatory allegations.”

“Whatever problems I have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision-making on the field,” he added. “I have always held the integrity of the game in high regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”

PGMOL has also responded. A statement said: 'The facts must be determined in the light of these very serious allegations. We have a zero tolerance policy for any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed annually by all match officials.

'The PMOL board is committed to taking appropriate action if a breach of the Code is proven. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate from the investigation into this matter which will be conducted independently by the FA.

'We will have no further comment at this stage.'