Disgraced Referee Faces New Sanctions
Disgraced referee David Coote has faced another significant setback in the wake of shocking leaked videos that led to his dismissal by the Premier League. Coote was sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the organization responsible for Premier League referees, in December 2022. The videos, which went viral, included Coote making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and a disturbing clip of him snorting a white powder. PGMOL, headed by Howard Webb, found his actions so egregious that they rendered his position as a Premier League official untenable, leading to his immediate termination.
UEFA’s Severe Punishment
The latest blow came on Friday morning when it was revealed that UEFA, the governing body of European football, has banned Coote from any refereeing activities until June 30, 2026. UEFA’s control, ethics, and disciplinary body met last week and determined that Coote’s actions violated "the basic rules of decent conduct" and brought "the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute." This decision is a severe punishment that will likely have long-lasting implications for Coote’s career in football.
Allegations and Investigations
Coote’s troubles began when a video of him labeling Klopp a derogatory term was published online on November 11, 2022. Just days later, The Sun released a clip of Coote allegedly using cocaine while officiating at Euro 2024, which prompted a new investigation from UEFA. Coote was subsequently stood down from officiating European matches. Adding to the controversy, the Football Association (FA) confirmed that Coote was the subject of a betting probe. Allegations surfaced that he exchanged messages with a friend before a Leeds United match with West Bromwich Albion in 2019, in which he was asked to book the home side’s Ezgjan Alioski. Coote has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the betting probe.
Media Speculation and Future Prospects
Despite the severity of the allegations and the subsequent bans, a report from The Sun in January 2023 suggested that Coote, now 42, could make a sensational return to football as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) instructor. A source close to the former Premier League official was quoted as saying, "He still gets on with all the other referees and I could see him taking a role somewhere. He’d be perfect as a VAR pundit or expert." Coote’s experience, having officiated over 100 top-flight games, underscores his potential value in such a role. However, the credibility of such a return remains questionable given the nature of his dismissal.
Personal Struggles and Public Humiliation
In an emotional interview last month, Coote spoke candidly about the profound impact the leaked videos had on his mental health. He revealed that he has been in an "incredibly dark place" since the footage became public. "It was really difficult, I didn’t want to leave the house because I felt everybody would be judging me," Coote said. "I felt that every which way I looked, people were looking at me and thinking what’s he done, why has he done that, he’s let himself down, he’s let other people down, he’s let his colleagues, his friends, and his family down." Coote’s personal struggles were further highlighted when he described having a panic attack in a supermarket aisle, feeling that everyone was watching and judging him.
Root of the Issues
Coote also delved into the deeper personal issues that contributed to his actions, particularly his struggle with his sexuality. "I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular," he admitted. "I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25." Coote acknowledged that while hiding his emotions and sexuality might have been beneficial as a young referee, it was detrimental to his well-being as a person. "My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position, but I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that," he said. "I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well—a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviors." Coote’s journey, from starting as a lineman at 14 to reaching the pinnacle of refereeing, illustrates the high stakes and pressures of the profession, combined with the personal demons he faced.
