Premier League Referee David Coote Sacked By PGMOL After ‘Serious Breach’

PGMOL has terminated David Coote’s Premier League contract after conducting a thorough investigation into the 42-year-old's off-field behaviour. The refereeing body has announced that Coote has been found to be in "serious breach" of his employment terms, leading to his immediate removal from his role.

David Coote found himself at the center of controversy after a leaked video surfaced showing him in an expletive-filled rant aimed at former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. The troubles don’t end there for the referee, as UEFA is also investigating footage—published by The Sun—that allegedly captures Coote snorting a white powder while on duty during Euro 2024. Following the completion of their investigation, PGMOL have now barred Coote from refereeing any further Premier League games. A PGMOL spokesperson said, “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect. David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.” 

The leaked video involving David Coote has ignited a firestorm of speculation, especially among Liverpool fans, who have long questioned some of his most controversial decisions. Coote has been no stranger to contentious moments, and two incidents involving Liverpool stand out. The first was his role as VAR during the infamous Merseyside derby, where Everton’s Jordan Pickford escaped punishment for a reckless challenge that sidelined Virgil van Dijk for 10 months with a cruciate ligament injury. It was a decision that left Liverpool fans fuming and questioning the officiating standards. More recently, Coote was on VAR duty during Liverpool’s high-stakes clash against Arsenal in December 2023. In a pivotal moment, he opted not to award a penalty for a Martin Ødegaard handball. The decision—or lack thereof—shocked fans and left Liverpool supporters questioning the integrity of the officiating.  

David Coote made his Premier League refereeing debut in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks to join the elite Select Group of officials. His career peaked in 2023 when he was entrusted with officiating the Carabao Cup final—a high-stakes clash between Manchester United and Newcastle United. But now, Coote’s career lies in taters following his termination from the Prem. Besides the investigation conducted by PGMOL, Coote is subject to three further investigations.  

The Football Association is currently investigating allegations that David Coote may have discussed issuing a yellow card with a friend before a match. The incident in question occurred during a clash between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019, where Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski was booked. While there’s no indication of wrongdoing in the decision, the claims have raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, UEFA is conducting its own probe into allegations of potential drug use, reportedly involving Coote during his stint as a support VAR at last summer’s European Championship. As a result, Coote has been suspended from UEFA’s VAR list while investigations are ongoing.