UPDATE: UEFA APPOINTS ETHICS, DISCIPLINARY INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE COOTE
Following the release of a video purporting to show Premier League referee David Coote sniffing white powder during Euro 2024, UEFA designated an ethics and disciplinary inspector to look into the incident.
It follows the announcement by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the English referees body, that it was “taking very seriously” new accusations against Coote.
After various video recordings appeared to show the 42-year-old making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on social media, the PGMOL suspended him on Monday.
The Football Association is also looking into Coote’s remarks on the German.
The Sun newspaper’s website posted another video on Wednesday that purported to show Coote snorting a white drug while officiating Euro 2024 in Germany.
European football’s governing body UEFA, which had already suspended Coote, has now opened an investigation into his conduct.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee Mr David Coote,” it said in a statement.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
A PGMOL spokesman said on Wednesday that the organisation was aware of the second video.
“We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation,” said a PGMOL spokesman.
“David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
AFP