November 27 – The English FA is investigating allegations that under-fire referee David Coote had a discussion with a friend about issuing a yellow card to a player the day before a match, allegations which he has denied.
The already suspended official hit the headlines recently after videos showed him snorting a white powder during last summer’s Euros and, in a totally separate incident, allegedly ranting against Liverpool.
On Tuesday, The Sun newspaper claimed a friend had jokingly told Coote to issue a yellow card to then-Leeds United player Ezgjan Alioski during a second-tier match against West Bromwich Albion in 2019 so that he could place a bet with bookmakers.
Coote duly booked Alioski in the match the following day, and later allegedly sent a message to the fan saying: “I hope you backed as discussed.”
Coote totally denied the latest report.
“I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations,” he said in a statement. “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.”
A spokesperson for the FA said: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
The PGMOL, English soccer’s referees’ body, said the facts needed to be established.
“We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis,” the body said. “PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that code be proven.”
Coote is already being investigated for separate incidents by the FA, PGMOL and UEFA who have also suspended him.
The afore-mentioned video showed him allegedly abusing Liverpool and their former manager Juergen Klopp.
“David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by The FA,” the PGMOL added. “We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
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