Suspended referee David Coote 'filmed snorting white powder'

by · Mail Online

A video has emerged of a man alleged to be suspended referee David Coote snorting a white powder in a hotel room while he was officiating at last summer’s Euros.

The eight-second clip, leaked on Wednesday night and published by The Sun, allegedly shows the official using a rolled-up bank note to inhale the powder.

If the video is genuine, this is likely to be a damaging development for the 42-year-old.

Coote is already suspended by referees’ body PGMOL, who launched an investigation after a separate video emerged of him calling manager Jurgen Klopp a ‘German c***’ and Liverpool ‘s***’.

He was also stood down from officiating European matches by UEFA.

A video has emerged of suspended Premier League referee David Coote allegedly snorting white powder in a hotel room
Coote was suspended by the PGMOL earlier this week after a separate video of him was leaked online
Coote was suspended for making disparaging comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp
Coote (pictured topless from a separate video) has also been accused of making disparaging remarks about Everton Football Club and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson

The latest video is said to have been recorded on July 6, the day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Portugal and France, in which Coote was a support VAR official and Michael Oliver was the referee.

It is also reported to have been filmed in a UEFA-funded hotel room. UEFA said on Wednesday night in relation to Coote’s previous conduct: ‘The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on November 11 when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.’

A PGMOL spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.

‘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.’

Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia could be a potential escape route for Coote. However, the emergence of the latest video will surely put paid to any switch to the Middle East.

The Sun, who obtained the clip, claim Coote sent it to a friend from his hotel room.

Coote (pictured being confronted by Liverpool's Andy Robertson) allegedly called the defender a 'Scottish p****'
He also allegedly said in a video chat that Liverpool will not win the league this season despite opening up a five-point gap at the top of the table under Arne Slot

His friend reportedly claims Coote made disparaging remarks about Everton, including calling Goodison Park the worst place to officiate due to fans ‘shouting abuse so close to the pitch’.

The friend also alleges Coote labelled Liverpool defender Andy Robertson a ‘Scottish p****’, while saying in video chats that the Anfield club would ‘not win the Premier League’ this season. In the original clip, the Nottinghamshire official claimed Klopp was ‘arrogant’.

‘Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he (Klopp) accused me of lying and had a right f*****g pop at me,’ said Coote. ‘I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f****** arrogant. I do my best not to speak to him.

‘My God, German c***, f*** me.’