Former Premier League referee David Coote has been handed a lengthy ban by UEFA after the European football governing body opened an investigation into the Nottingham-born official.
Coote was sacked in December last year following a PGMOL investigation into two separate alleged videos.
The first video, which was widely circulated on social media in November, appeared to show Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
A short time later, a second video emerged which allegedly showed the 42-year-old snorting a white powder during Euro 2024 – a day after he served as a support VAR official for Spain’s quarter-final game against Germany.
Following that incident, UEFA opened an investigation into Coote and now, the European governing body have suspended the official from “exercising any UEFA refereeing activity” until June 30, 2026.
A statement from UEFA read: “Mr David Coote Incidents and sanction: General principles of conduct, Art. 11(1) DR, Violating the basic rules of decent conduct, Art. 11(2)(b) DR, Bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute, Art. 11(2)(d) DR, Ban from exercising any UEFA refereeing activity until 30 June 2026.”
This latest development means Coote will no longer be available for selection to referee in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League, as well as the Nations League.
Last month, Coote gave a wide-ranging interview with The Sun, in which he admitted to using drugs as a result of the fear of making his sexuality public as a Premier League referee.
It is unclear whether he will return to top-flight officiating after being stood down by the PGMOL, but Coote is considering a move into the media to advocate for referees who continue to face intense scrutiny.
“I’ll be looking to make sure my health and wellbeing is in the best possible place. Nobody really prepares you for moving through each level and then arriving in the Premier League, which is like a goldfish bowl,” Coote said.
Coote was dismissed by PGMOL in December last year. Image credit: Getty
“You don’t apply for promotion, people just take a judgment on your performances and you as a person, and give you the opportunity at a new level. All of us who operate at the top levels of the game, we’re just normal guys, football fans who’ve been fortunate enough to be selected and move through the levels.”
Coote added: “I’ve been really fortunate as a football fan to have seen the great players at such close quarters. But there is a trade-off. We don’t get an easy ride of it.”
