PGMOL issues fresh David Coote statement as new video footage emerges

Professional Game Match Officials Ltd is "aware of the allegations" and "taking them very seriously" after a video appeared to show suspended Premier League referee David Coote snorting white powder.

The official was suspended earlier this week after a video surfaced with Coote alleged to have made derogatory comments about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and the Reds. PGMOL suspended Coote and is under investigation by the body and the Football Association.

On Wednesday evening, another video appeared on The Sun's website which the newspaper claims shows Coote snorting white powder during the summer's European Championships in Germany, where he was officiating.

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."

The first video, which lead to his suspension, allegedly features Coote slating Liverpool as "s***" and hurls an insult at former Reds' boss Klopp, calling him a "German c***". At one point during the video, he shows a photo on a mobile which seems to include Klopp, James Milner, and another person donning a mask, suggesting the footage could trace back to during lockdown.

Within two hours of the video being shared online, the PGMOL released a statement that the Premier League official had been suspended pending a full investigation into the facts around the video.

In the video, Coote is alleged to have said: "Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he (Klopp) accused me of lying and then just had a right f------ pop at me. I’ve got no interest at speaking to someone who’s f------ arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him... My God, German c---, f--- me.”

As well as being suspended by the PGMOL following the first video, Coote was stood down by UEFA for upcoming Nations League and European club matches. The FA has also began its own investigation into the video of Coote criticising Klopp, after the referee's X-rated rant made reference to the former Liverpool boss' nationality.

That footage has not been verified by the PA news agency but is understood to be being treated as genuine by PGMOL.
PA has approached the FA for comment regarding The Sun’s story.

Coote was suspended by UEFA before the latest video was published. A spokesperson for the organisation told Mirror Football: "The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on 12 November - in advance of the upcoming round of UEFA matches - when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour."