Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked by the PGMOL.

Last month, a video, which is still unconfirmed, was widely shared on social media and appeared to show Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and his former manager Jurgen Klopp.

Coote, 42, was initially suspended by the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and the FA launched its own investigation.

The PGMOL investigation also included a second video that emerged last month apparently showing Coote snorting a white powder, allegedly during Euro 2024, where he was one of the tournament’s VAR assistants.

The European football association UEFA has also appointed an ethics investigator to investigate the matter.

The PGMOL confirmed the termination of Coote’s employment in a statement on Monday afternoon, saying a thorough investigation had concluded he had “seriously breached the terms of his employment contract and his position was deemed untenable”.

The PGMOL’s full statement read: “Following the completion of a thorough investigation into Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL was terminated today with immediate effect.”

“Coote’s actions were found to constitute a serious breach of the terms of his employment contract and his position was deemed untenable.

“Coote’s support remains important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.”

“Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”

The FA is also separately investigating an allegation – which Coote strenuously denies – that he discussed the prospect of giving a Leeds player a yellow card in an online conversation with a fan before a game. The Sun claims that after Coote booked the player, he messaged the person and said: “I hope you have supported as discussed.”

The FA said it was investigating the allegation as an “urgent matter”.

Coote denied the allegations he discussed about giving a yellow card before a game.

Coote said: “I strongly reject these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever problems I had in my personal life, they never influenced my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard.” To officiate games impartially and to the best of my ability.

PGMOL’s investigation did not address the allegations relating to Leeds’ yellow card.

Timeline: What led to Coote’s firing…

Saturday November 9th: Coote leads Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa.

Monday, November 11th: An unverified video is circulating on social media of Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former coach Jürgen Klopp.

Monday, November 11th: PGMOL suspends Coote and launches an investigation.

Tuesday, November 12th: FA launches own investigation into Coote video.

Tuesday, November 12th: Chief referee Howard Webb continues Sky Sports match officials switched on the microphone that PGMOL is taking the incident “very seriously”.

Thursday, November 14th: PGMOL is aware of a new video which appears to show Coote snorting a white powder while reportedly working at Euro 2024.

Wednesday, November 27th: FA is investigating allegations. Coote discussed giving a yellow card before a game, as reported by The sun. Coote denies the allegations.

Monday, December 9th: Coote is dismissed from PGMOL.

What does continuing to advocate for Coote’s well-being look like?

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports News:

“It’s (about) making sure he’s OK. After the investigation, his position was untenable. We have a code of conduct that we as referees have to sign. They are okay with living a life that is outside of what we have seen recently.” four weeks.

“Seeing what happened, it must have been as big a shock for him as it was for anyone else, considering some of these videos are four or five years old. He agreed it was him, but when it came out he had to do it.” I was as shocked as everyone else.

“Then you see it unfold and you can imagine the personal trauma he’s going through, the turmoil in his head. They had to ensure that his well-being was as important as the right decision and the right conclusion in this matter.”

“PGMOL’s support for Coote is an important aspect of the story”

Kaveh Solhekol, chief reporter at Sky Sports News:

“When the video surfaced online, PGMOL responded very, very quickly once it was assured that the video was authentic.

“David Coote was suspended pending an investigation and three or four weeks later that investigation was completed and PGMOL have confirmed that Coote’s employment contract with them has been terminated with immediate effect. They say he has seriously breached his contract and that his position is now untenable.

“I think that’s a really important aspect of this story, that they say in their statement that they will continue to support Coote and that they remain committed to his welfare. He also has the right to appeal.”

“A few other allegations have emerged The sun and there is one that UEFA is investigating; They also suspended Coote. This is an incident that allegedly occurred during the European Championships in Germany this summer. Pictures appeared in The sunwhich appeared to show Coote allegedly sniffing a white substance.

“There was a story in it too The sunwhich Coote allegedly discussed with a supporter who gave a team a yellow card before taking charge of a game between Leeds and West Brom in 2019, which is being investigated by the FA.

“Coote, for his part, released a statement after these allegations first came to light, saying these allegations were false and defamatory.

“We will have to wait and see whether he or his representatives receive a response, but I think PGMOL makes it very clear in their statement that they have taken this decisive action, they believe that his position is untenable and that he is violating his contract, but they are concerned for his welfare and he has the right to appeal.”