Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked by the referees body PGMOL, on account of a “serious breach” of his contract.
Coote had come under the PGMOL scanner after a leaked video surfaced in an expletive-laden rant about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp.
Klopp had criticised Coote after the game, saying the referee failed to give fouls for challenges made on Liverpool’s players. It was a match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which settled in a 1-1 draw.
He is also under investigation from UEFA after a video allegedly showed him snorting a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024.
“Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect,” PGMOL said in a statement.
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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,” PGMOL said.
“David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”
The 42-year-old is also under probe from the English Football Association (FA) after he was alleged to have discussed handing out a yellow card before a match.
The investigation refers to a match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019 where Coote booked Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski during the match.
Coote was appointed as a Premier League referee for the first time in April 2018 in which West Brom won 1-0 against Newcastle.
He officiated 11 games in the Premier League during 2018-19 and has gone on to referee 112 games in the league, including three Liverpool fixtures.
- July 2020 – 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield
- March 2024 – 2-1 win against Brighton at Anfield
- November 2024 – 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield
Coote has refereed Liverpool on a further five occasions in cup games.
He has been the VAR for 64 Premier League matches, 11 of which have involved Liverpool, the first of which was in September 2019.
In October 2020, Coote oversaw as the VAR when Liverpool drew 2-2 with Everton and Klopp complained about the decision not to send off Jordan Pickford for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk, as well as a stoppage-time goal from Jordan Henderson being disallowed for offside.
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Liverpool protested with the Premier League to review those two VAR decisions.
Coote was then not appointed as the VAR of a Liverpool Premier League match until September 2023, the first of seven Liverpool matches in the English top fight as VAR last season.
Also Read: UEFA Bans Two Referees For Violating “Basic Rules Of Decent Conduct”
