Premier League referee David Coote filmed inhaling white powder during Euro 2024 as shocking new video emerges
New video has emerged of Premier League referee David Coote appearing to snort white powder while at Euro 2024.
In images obtained by the sunThe senior official can be seen using a rolled-up US bank note to snort a line of what appears to be cocaine.
The Sun says the video was taken on July 6, a day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final clash between Spain and Germany, a match in which Coote had been a VAR support official.
He report adds that Coote sent the clip to a friend and is believed to have filmed himself in the UEFA-funded hotel room he used during the tournament.
On the nightstand next to the dust are prescription medications, a credit card, and Terry Hayes' novel The Year of the Locust.
This video will increase calls for the 42-year-old to leave his position as a Premier League referee, which is worth around £100,000 a year.
Coote was suspended by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), responsible for refereeing in English professional football, on Monday.
That was after a separate video was posted online showing him attacking former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, calling him “fucking arrogant” and “German.”
A PGMOL spokesperson said on Wednesday night: “We are aware of the allegations and take them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.
“David's wellbeing remains of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the necessary and ongoing support he needs during this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
The person who sent the video of Coote inhaling white powder told The Sun that the referee made other derogatory comments about Everton Football Club and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
Coote is said to have rated Everton's home, Goodison Park, as the worst place to referee due to fans “shouting abuse so close to the pitch”.
It was also claimed that Coote did not like refereeing at Bournemouth because it was “too far away” and claimed he was “too big” to take charge at Coventry's Ricoh Arena for their Championship clash against Oxford United on 16 August.
The friend who shared the images told The Sun: “I think the FA and the referees' governing body need to make sure the sport we all love is protected and run by the right people. “My message to David Coote is…help is available.”
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Coote is alleged to have sent other videos over the summer from France, where he officiated three soccer matches at the Paris Olympics.
The Football Association is already investigating Coote over his derogatory comments about Klopp and Liverpool, while UEFA removed him from its match list this week for Nations League matches.
In the first clip to be leaked, Coote called Klopp a 'c***' while also labeling Liverpool 's***', in what was an apparent reference to a Premier League match in which there was was fourth official between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020.
The match finished 1–1, ending Liverpool's 24-game winning streak at Anfield, and Klopp subsequently criticized the referees' performance.
Now new images, published by The Sun, have placed greater scrutiny on the conduct of one of the Premier League's top referees.
What Coote said about Liverpool and Klopp
Transcription of the first video published…
first man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game when you were the fourth official?”
coote: “Erm, Liverpool were shit.”
first man: “What did you think of Jürgen Klopp?”
coote: “C***, absolute shit.”
first man: “Why would you say Jurgen Klopp is wrong?”
Coote: “Erm, apart from punching me when I refereed against Burnley in the lockdown. Then he accused me of lying and then punched me, and I have no interest in talking to someone fucking arrogant. So I do my best to not talking to him (James) Milner is fine, I get on well with Milner.”
first man: “James Milner, he gets along with James Milner.”
Coote: “You can see me there with the mask on.”
first man: “Mask on, obviously.”
Coote: “Yes, Covid, it has to be done. Social distancing, right? We're two meters apart.”
first man: “We have to socially distance.”
Coote: “Yes, yes, but (exhales) Oh my God. German, fuck, fuck me.”
first man: “Simply put, Jurgen Klopp's a***, Liverpool are all fucking bastards, we hate the Scousers.”
Coote has been a Premier League official since 2018 and refereed Liverpool's most recent Premier League match – a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday night.
PGMOL boss Howard Webb commented on the initial video during Match Officials Mic'd Up this week.
He said: “We became aware of a video circulating on social media which we are taking very seriously.
“We have launched a full investigation and one of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.
“There's not much more I can say pending the outcome of that investigation.”
