A video appearing to show Premier League referee David Coote snorting what appears to be a white substance in a hotel room while working at Euro 2024 has been released by The Sun.
The eight second clip, which the newspaper claims was taken on July 6 – one day after the quarter final clash between Spain and Germany, where he worked as a VAR official – appears to show Coote snorting a substance using a rolled-up US bank note.
It is believed the footage was filmed from Coote’s UEFA-funded hotel room in Germany this summer.
Following the release of the footage, a statement from officiating governing body the PGMOL read: “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.”
A PGMOL statement: “We 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…” (1/2)
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) November 13, 2024
A UEFA spokesperson told Sky Sports News on Wednesday evening: “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.”
Earlier this week, Coote was suspended by the PGMOL while it investigates a separate social media video appearing to show him using profanities to describe Liverpool and former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
In the clip, Coote appeared to outline his dislike for Liverpool as well as calling ex-Reds boss Klopp a “German ****”.
The Mirror claim Coote initially denied any involvement in the video before later admitting it was him, although he is reported to have said he cannot remember the contents of the conversation.
BREAKING: The PGMOL have confirmed that David Coote has been suspended pending full investigation pic.twitter.com/e2ubZy8113
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 11, 2024
The Nottinghamshire referee has officiated almost 500 professional games, ranging from non-league to international fixtures.
His first top-flight game was in 2018 and he is one of 20 members of the PGMOL’s Select Group 1 of professional referees.
The 42-year-old was appointed for 36 Premier League games last season and was in the middle for the 2022/23 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle.
Rotherham United’s League One play-off final win over Leyton Orient in 2014 was his first match at Wembley Stadium.
