David Coote's shocking new allegation leaves talkSPORT presenter heartbroken, fearing for the integrity of football
The latest allegations surrounding Premier League referee David Coote have left talkSPORT presenter Jason Cundy fearing for the match.
Coote was on the end of another explosive revelation from the sunclaiming he spoke about giving out a yellow card before and after a match between Leeds and West Brom.
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The Football Association said it is investigating the “very serious allegations as a matter of urgency”, while Coote denies any wrongdoing.
The PGMOL also said last night: “The facts must be established in light of these very serious allegations.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which all referees sign annually.
“The PGMOL Board undertakes to take appropriate action in the event of any non-compliance with that Code being demonstrated. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate from the FA's independent investigation into this matter.
“We will have no further comment at this time.”
The revelation comes after other explosive stories about Coote, including a video of him. Criticizing former Liverpool manager Jurgen Kloppand another of him snort white powder.
But this betting scandal left the talkSPORT presenter and former Chelsea defender Cundy in shock.
“This now goes to the heart of what is most important in my life,” he said.
“It undermines integrity and says the game can be corrupt. I don't know where to go with this. I don't know what the next question is.
“I think the game is not corrupt. I think the integrity of the game is absolutely 100% foolproof. But this…
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“Every football fan will wonder what they hear and read.”
Responding to the party's allegations in October 2019, Coote insists a message sent to a friend saying “I hope you backed” was just a “joke”.
In an official statement, Coote said: “I strongly reject these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever problems I have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision making on the field.
“I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”
Equally surprised was talkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who admitted this story calls into question the integrity of the game.
“These are serious allegations,” he said. “I think this is possibly the most damaging of the allegations that have been made against David Coote so far, because now the integrity of a referee is being questioned.
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“At best, it is a huge error in judgment. At worst, I think it's perhaps more sinister than that.
“What is most alarming to me is that the person who leaked this to The Sun, on condition of anonymity, suggests that he has actually only just started interacting with David Coote online. So this is not a friend for life.”
The yellow card in question was received by Ezgjan Alioski in the 17th minute after a late challenge on Darnell Furlong.
It was not considered a controversial decision and most would consider the foul a yellow card offence.
The friend who leaked the conversation to The Sun said: “My first contact with David Coote was online. When I talked to him a little more, I discovered his job as a soccer referee.
“I jokingly told him to give Alioski a yellow card in Leeds United's game the next day against West Bromwich Albion, so I could back this up at the bookmakers.
“He responded sarcastically: 'Haha, we'll see.'” 18 minutes into the game the next day, Alioski was booked.
“It was Leeds' only yellow card in the game.
“He texted me a little while after the game and said, 'I hope you supported what we discussed.'”
