Premier League official David Coote has been sacked by the referees’ body the PGMOL following a “thorough investigation” into his conduct.
Coote, 42, was suspended by the PGMOL (the Professional Game Match Officials Limited) last month pending a full investigation after a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club’s former manager Jurgen Klopp was circulated on social media.
Later in November, a separate clip of him appearing to snort a white powder in a hotel room while he was officiating at last summer’s Euros was published.
Coote was then stood down from officiating European matches by UEFA and, in a later development, the FA confirmed he was the subject of a betting probe after allegations 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 the home side’s Ezgjan Alioski.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has now confirmed the termination of the Nottinghamshire official’s employment in a statement on Monday afternoon, saying that a thorough investigation had concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”.
The full statement from the PGMOL read: “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.
“Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.
“Supporting Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.
“Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”