FA probes referee Coote over yellow card allegations.© (@FootbalIhub )
The Football Association (FA) has investigated allegations that referee David Coote discussed issuing a yellow card with a fan before a Championship match. Coote, 42, has vehemently denied the claims, describing them as “false and defamatory.”
The Sun reported the new allegations on Tuesday, which claimed that Coote exchanged messages with a fan regarding a yellow card issued to Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski during a 2019 match against West Brom. The report suggests that Coote communicated with the fans before and after the game. However, there is no indication that the referee received any financial benefit from the exchange, and Alioski’s booking is widely considered correct.
Coote, a prominent Premier League referee since 2018, issued a statement rejecting the allegations. He emphasized that any personal issues he may have faced have never affected his on-field decision-making. “I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard,” he said, asserting that he has refereed matches impartially and to the best of his ability.
This new investigation adds to a series of ongoing inquiries into Coote’s conduct. Following separate allegations, he has already been suspended by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and UEFA. A video surfaced earlier this month in which Coote appeared to make disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Furthermore, The Sun published photos allegedly showing Coote using a white powder at the European Championship this summer, though these claims have not been independently verified.
The FA and PGMOL are treating the new allegations with urgency. The PGMOL emphasized its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding any breach of its code of conduct and stated that Coote’s suspension remains in effect while both investigations proceed. The FA has pledged to investigate the matter independently.
Leeds United, the club involved in the 2019 match, acknowledged the allegations but refrained from commenting further, stating their complete confidence in the FA, EFL, and PGMOL regulatory processes.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey expressed shock over the latest allegations, noting that they could damage officials at all levels. However, he stressed the importance of allowing the investigation to run. Given the pressure and scrutiny they face in their roles, he highlighted the need for mental health support for referees.
The PGMOL and UEFA’s investigations into Coote’s conduct are ongoing, with the outcome yet to be determined.
