The PGMOL have issued a statement in response to the emergence of a new video which allegedly shows David Coote snorting a line of white powder.
Coote, a Premier League and UEFA referee, was suspended by PGMOL earlier this week after a video circulated appearing to show him calling Liverpool ‘s**t’ and describing their former manager, Jurgen Klopp, as ‘an absolute c**t’.
Now, the PGMOL have issued a statement to Sky Sports News after being made aware of another video, obtained by The Sun, which appears to show Coote snorting a line of white powder with a rolled-up US bank note.
The eight-second clip was allegedly filmed while Coote was working at Euro 2024. It is alleged that Coote sent the video to a friend on WhatsApp. The report claims that he recorded it himself in the UEFA-funded hotel room he used during the tournament.
A spokesperson for the PGMOL was quoted as saying: “We are aware of the allegations and we are taking them very seriously. 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 during this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
The first video, which allegedly shows Coote ranting about Liverpool and Klopp, went viral on social media on Monday.
When quizzed on how Liverpool performed in a recent match by another man in the video, Coote appeared to say: “Liverpool were s**t.” Asked what he thought of Klopp, the official allegedly replied: “A c**t, an absolute c**t.
“Aside from having a right pop at me when I was referee against Burnley during lockdown, then he’s accused me of lying and he has just a right f**king pop at me.
“And I’ve got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f**king arrogant, so I did my best not to speak to him.”
Coote was then allegedly shown holding up a mobile phone to display an image of himself and Klopp standing on the touchline.
He allegedly added: “You can see me there with a mask on during Covid and social distancing right? We’re several metres apart. But my god, German c**t. F**k me.”
In a follow-up video, which was seemingly filmed moments after the first clip, Coote appeared to say to the other man: “Just to be clear, that f**king last video can’t go anywhere. Seriously.”