UEFA announced on Thursday the opening of an investigation targeting English referee David Coote, whom it suspended after the publication of images allegedly showing him snorting white powder during Euro 2024, where he officiated.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to assess a potential breach of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by referee Mr David Coote,” European football’s governing body said. organizer of the European Championship in Germany.
The statement said that “further information regarding this matter will be communicated in due course.”
“The Sun” posted images online on Wednesday showing the 42-year-old referee snorting a white powder resembling cocaine with an American bank note, a scene having taken place during the Euro according to the tabloid.
UEFA made the decision to suspend him even before the investigation was launched.
In England, the man with the whistle has also been suspended since Monday for a different matter, which emerged after older videos were broadcast on the internet.
It shows Mr Coote criticizing and insulting former Liverpool manager, German Jürgen Klopp, in a private setting. The English Association of Professional Referees (PGMOL) sacked him and the English federation also launched an investigation of its own.
“We are aware of the allegations and we take them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation,” said a PGMOL spokesperson on Wednesday, in reaction to the images allegedly captured during Euro 2024.
“David’s welfare continues to be of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the necessary support he needs during this time. We are unable to make any further comments at this stage,” he added.
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