English referee David Coote has been dismissed from his position by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following an extensive investigation into derogatory comments he made regarding Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and the club itself.
The investigation was prompted by the emergence of a video on social media that allegedly captured Coote making disparaging remarks about Klopp and Liverpool. This video brought to light a series of comments made by the 42-year-old referee, including a recollection of a Premier League match that saw Liverpool draw 1-1 against Aston Villa.
Following the release of the video, UEFA took immediate action by suspending Coote on November 11, initiating an inquiry into his conduct.
In the wake of this suspension, the Football Association (FA) also launched a separate investigation to assess the situation further. As the investigations progressed, additional allegations surfaced, including claims that Coote had discussed the possibility of booking a player during a match.
In their official statement, PGMOL underscored their commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct among match officials.
They stated, “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect. Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us, and we remain committed to his welfare.”
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Coote’s career as a Premier League referee began in April 2018, and he has since officiated a total of 112 matches, including three involving Liverpool. His dismissal raises questions about the accountability of referees and the standards expected of them in the high-pressure environment of top-flight football.
