Premier League official Coote sacked after investigation

Premier League charismatic David Coote has been sacked by referees' assemblage nan PGMOL pursuing a "thorough investigation" into his conduct.

Coote, 42, was suspended by nan PGMOL (the Professional Game Match Officials Limited) connected 11 November pending a afloat investigation aft a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments astir Liverpool and nan club's erstwhile head Jurgen Klopp was circulated connected societal media.

A further investigation was opened 2 days later aft nan Sun published photos it says were taken during this summer's European Championship, alleging that they look to show Coote sniffing a achromatic powder done a rolled up US slope note.

The PGMOL said Coote's actions made his position "untenable".

Neither nan pictures nor nan video person been verified independently by nan BBC.

"David Coote's actions were recovered to beryllium successful superior breach of nan provisions of his employment contract," nan PGMOL said.

"Supporting David Coote continues to beryllium important to america and we stay committed to his welfare."

Coote has nan correct to entreaty nan determination to terminate his employment.

The PGMOL first took action against Coote connected 11 November pursuing nan merchandise of a video connected societal media, which allegedly showed him criticising Liverpool and their erstwhile head Klopp.

The video appeared to mention a Premier League lucifer that Coote officiated betwixt Liverpool and Burnley successful July 2020, which vanished 1-1.

Klopp criticised Coote aft nan game, saying nan referee grounded to springiness fouls for challenges made connected Liverpool's players.

The FA opened an investigation nan pursuing day.

On 13 November, nan PGMOL said it was taking further allegations "very seriously" pursuing nan publication of images showing appearing to show Coote sniffing a achromatic powder.

Coote was moving astatine nan Euros successful his capacity arsenic a lucifer charismatic and Uefa, European football's governing body, besides suspended Coote arsenic it launched its ain investigation.

On 27 November, nan FA opened a caller investigation pursuing an allegation that Coote had discussed giving a yellowish card earlier a Championship lucifer betwixt Leeds and West Brom successful 2019.

A study successful nan Sun claimed Coote exchanged messages pinch a instrumentality discussing giving a yellowish paper earlier and aft nan game.

Coote denied immoderate wrongdoing and said nan allegation was "false and defamatory".

The contents of nan study person not been verified by nan BBC

The speech referred to a booking Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski received successful nan lucifer from Coote. There is nary proposal of immoderate financial summation by Coote and nan booking is regarded arsenic wholly correct.

Coote was appointed arsenic a Premier League referee for nan first clip successful April 2018 erstwhile West Brom won 1-0 astatine Newcastle.

He oversaw 11 games successful nan apical formation during 2018-19 and has gone connected to referee 112 Premier League games, including 3 Liverpool fixtures.

Coote has refereed Liverpool connected a further 5 occasions successful cup games.

As 1 of nan PGMOL's astir highly-rated video adjunct referees (VAR), Coote has been nan VAR for 64 Premier League matches, 11 of which person progressive Liverpool, nan first of which was successful September 2019.

In October 2020, Coote was nan VAR erstwhile Liverpool drew 2-2 pinch Everton and Klopp complained astir nan determination not to nonstop disconnected Jordan Pickford for a situation connected Virgil van Dijk, arsenic good arsenic a stoppage-time extremity from Jordan Henderson being disallowed for offside.

Liverpool asked nan Premier League to reappraisal those 2 VAR decisions.

Coote was past not appointed arsenic nan VAR of a Liverpool Premier League lucifer until September 2023, nan first of 7 Liverpool Premier League matches arsenic VAR past season.