English referee David Coote has become known for abusing Jürgen Klopp. After another video, UEFA has now banned him for a year and a half.
The controversial English referee David Coote has now also been banned by UEFA. As reported by the AP news agency, citing UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, the Englishman is banned from officiating in any match until June 30, 2026. He was found to have violated “the basic rules of decent behavior” and “disgraced the sport of football and in particular UEFA,” the agency said.
The English referee organization PGMOL had already parted ways with Coote last December, after the 42-year-old had been suspended beforehand. The initial reason for this was the appearance of a video in which Coote is said to have made contemptuous comments about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
Shortly thereafter, another clip was made public in which Coote is said to be seen snorting a white powder, presumably cocaine, in a UEFA hotel in Germany during the European Football Championship in early July 2024. Allegedly just one day after he had served as the VAR assistant in the quarter-final between France and Portugal (5-3 in extra time).
Coote admits drug use
In an interview with the English tabloid Sun, Coote was asked about the incidents and apologized. He confessed that his problems and behavior were related to his suppressed homosexuality.
He also made “bad personal decisions” in his life and repeatedly took drugs. “It wasn’t something I was addicted to every day. I also had long periods when I didn’t take drugs,” said Coote. But it was a ‘way out’ to cope with the ‘stress and relentlessness’ of his job.
Match-fixing allegation
A further investigation by the FA is continuing to look into the allegations that Coote is accusing of match-fixing. The Sun also reported on this first. The referee allegedly discussed with a friend before a second division game in October 2019 between Leeds United and West Brom Albion the decision to show Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski a yellow card – which actually happened in the game.
Coote, however, vehemently denies these accusations as “false and defamatory allegations”. He says that the conversation did take place, but that nothing inappropriate happened beyond that. Alioski was rightfully shown the yellow card for a sliding tackle. Furthermore, it is not alleged that he profited financially from the caution.
“Whatever issues I have had in my personal life have never influenced my decisions on the field. I have always upheld the integrity of the game and officiated matches impartially and to the best of my ability,” Coote defended himself.
