The English Football Association (FA) has opened a corruption investigation into referee David Coote, already suspended for suspected drug use and inappropriate comments he allegedly made about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
READ ALSO. Drugs and insults: UEFA opens an investigation into English referee David Coote present at the Euro
According to the tabloid The Sun, Coote (42) would have discussed with a supporter the possibility of giving a yellow card to Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski, on the eve of refereeing the match between Leeds and West Bromwich in October 2019.
The Sun adds that the referee having actually warned the player, then sent a message to the supporter saying “I hope you did the right thing as discussed”.
Coote, currently suspended in connection with two other cases, defended himself by refuting “firmly” ces “false and defamatory accusations”.
“Whatever my personal problems were, they never affected my decisions on the field”he said.
READ ALSO. Premier League. Referee suspended after offensive remarks against Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp
UEFA announced on November 14 the opening of an investigation targeting David Coote after the publication of images allegedly showing him snorting a white powder during Euro 2024, where he was officiating.
In England, the referee is also the subject of a double investigation by the English Association of Professional Referees (PGMOL) and the FA after the broadcast on the internet on November 11 of older videos showing him criticizing and to insult the German Jürgen Klopp in a private setting.
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