David Coote releases statement after being accused of discussing yellow card with a friend before a match
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as David Coote denies fresh allegations
David Coote has issued a fresh statement after new allegations were made about the Premier League referee.
The Sun allege that the 42-year-old is at the centre of an FA betting probe, having accused the official of discussing a yellow card with a friend before a match between Leeds and West Brom in October 2019.
But Coote has now furiously hit back and denied the allegations, branding them 'false' and 'defamatory'.
"I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations," he said in a statement.
David Coote has issued a fresh statement after new allegations were made about the Premier League referee
PA
"Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life 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 by the FA after a video emerged that appeared to show him making offensive remarks about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
In the footage, which was published on social media, he described Klopp as a 'c**t' and also criticised Liverpool.
Coote initially denied it was him, leading to suggestions that it could have been AI-generated or a deep fake.
He later said that it could be him, but he has no recollection of ever being filmed making the comments. The matter remains under investigation.
To make matters worse for Coote, another video then released appearing to show him snorting suspicious white powder.
The Sun say the footage was captured while he was working as an official during the European Championships in Germany back in the summer.
In response, the PGMOL said it was 'aware of the allegations' and was 'taking them very seriously'.
The footage is, however, yet to be verified.
The PGMOL also said: "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.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
David Coote has already been suspended by the PGMOL following comments he appeared to make about Jurgen Klopp
Reuters"We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
Regarding the allegations that Coote discussed issuing a yellow card with a friend, the PGMOL said: “The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.
“We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis.
“PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that Code be proven. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by the FA.
David Coote remains suspended by the PGMOL at the current moment in time
PA“We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
The Football Association added: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
You may like
