The curtain has officially fallen on David Coote’s career as a Premier League referee. After weeks of speculation, Coote has reportedly decided not to appeal his dismissal by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), following a scandal that sent shockwaves through the footballing world. The decision comes after leaked videos showed the referee engaging in actions that were deemed “untenable” by his employers.
The saga began when two controversial videos surfaced online, each more damning than the last. In one clip, Coote was allegedly caught on camera making disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, referring to him with an offensive slur. Another video purportedly showed the referee snorting a white powder through a rolled-up banknote, reportedly during last summer’s European Championship. These revelations prompted an immediate investigation by the PGMOL, ultimately resulting in Coote’s dismissal earlier this month.
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The PGMOL, led by former Premier League referee Howard Webb, wasted no time in addressing the scandal. In a statement, they confirmed Coote had breached his employment contract in a manner that left his position as a referee “untenable.” Despite the severity of the accusations, the organization emphasized its ongoing support for Coote’s welfare, even as they terminated his employment.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us,” the PGMOL noted in their statement. “However, his actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract.”
David Coote accepts his fate
Despite having the right to appeal his dismissal, Coote has reportedly chosen to accept the decision rather than contest it. According to Mail Sport, sources close to the situation revealed that the referee will not fight to retain his position within the PGMOL.
The decision effectively ends Coote’s career as a Premier League official, a role he had held since 2018. His fall from grace marks one of the most dramatic scandals to hit the league’s refereeing ranks in recent memory.
For a referee who once oversaw high-stakes matches in one of the world’s most-watched leagues, the fallout has been swift and unforgiving. The controversy not only tarnishes Coote’s legacy but also raises questions about the pressures and responsibilities faced by top-level officials.
