Premier League ref David Coote WON’T appeal sacking after videos emerged of anti-Klopp rant and snorting white powder
SHAMED ref David Coote won’t appeal the decision to sack him, it emerged last night.
Referees’ body the PGMOL gave him the boot this month after a probe into videos of him snorting white powder and a foul-mouthed rant about ex Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Sources last night said the 42-year-old Premier League official had decided to accept his sacking – rather than fight to keep his old job, the Daily Mail reported.
The PGMOL – Professional Game Match Officials Board – showed Coote the door after examining evidence provided by The Sun.
We exclusively revealed a film of him snorting what appears to be cocaine during the Euros in Germany this summer.
In the eight-second WhatsApp clip, he was wide-eyed as he used a rolled-up US banknote to snort a four-inch line of the substance in his Uefa-funded hotel room.
The previous day, the official had acted as a VAR for France’s quarter-final shootout win over Portugal.
Days before that exposé, footage emerged on social media showing him calling former Liverpool boss Klopp a “German c***”.
Coote had also tried to arrange a drugs party during Tottenham’s win over Manchester City on October 30.
He was the fourth official for the Carabao Cup clash.
Official body PGMOL said the ref – also subject of a separate betting probe – was sacked after his actions were found to be in breach of contract.
In a statement, they said: “David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.”
Coote has been lying low near his Midlands home since the video emerged.
Referees body the PGMOL, who examined evidence provided by The Sun, sacked him on Monday following a probe into his sweary rants and white powder abuse.
Coote was then the subject of a new probe over allegedly issuing a yellow card to order.
The loss of Coote’s career is set to cost him £1m over the next few years in loss of earnings.
Shocking David Coote video in full
First video
First man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”
First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”
First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.
“Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.
“So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”
First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”
First man: “Mask on, obviously.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”
First man: “We have to social distance.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”
First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”
Second video
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”
First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.
“Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”
First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”