The Football Association has launched an “urgent” investigation into referee David Coote following claims he discussed booking a player prior to a game.
The Sun alleges Coote had a text conversation with a friend before the Championship match between Leeds United and West Brom in 2019 in which the subject of Leeds left-back Ezgjan Alioski being shown a yellow card was mentioned.
Alioski was booked in the 18th minute for a challenge on Darnell Furlong.
Coote is alleged to have text the person back the following day and said: “I hope you backed as discussed.”
The FA have launched a probe “as a matter of urgency” while Coote has denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement, the official said: “I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations.
“Whatever issues I may 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.”
Coote is currently suspended from refereeing while the FA and refereeing body PGMOL examine footage that appeared to show him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former boss Jurgen Klopp.
He has also been stood down from taking charge of matches in UEFA competitions after a second video emerged that purported to show Coote snorting a white powder during Euro 2024.
