Premier League referee David Coote has been sacked from his role with 'immediate effect', according to a statement from Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed the termination of the 42-year-old Nottinghamshire official’s employment in a statement on Monday afternoon, saying that a thorough investigation had concluded he was 'in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable'.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare,” PGMOL’s statement added. “David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”
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This move came following a leaked video which showed the referee slamming Liverpool football club.
Coote said, while being filmed on a sofa: "[Jurgen Klopp is a] c***, absolute c***. Aside from having a right pop at me when I was refereeing them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying and then had a right f**king pop of me.
"I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f**king arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him."
Later in the video, the referee refers to the manager as a 'German c***'.
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As well as investigating his comments more generally, the FA are investigating whether his reference to Klopp’s nationality constituted an aggravated breach of its misconduct rules.
That investigation remains ongoing.
The FA is also investigating claims surrounding a yellow card he handed out in a match between Leeds and West Brom. He is alleged to have discussed the card, which was handed out to Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski, before the game.
Coote has gone on to say these allegations are 'false' and 'defamatory'.
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His full statement reads: "I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life, they 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".
Per the Mirror, the original video was denied as being genuine by Coote, who told the newspaper he 'vehemently denies inappropriate conduct'.
In a later update by the paper, however, Coote admitted it was genuine. He did stress, however, that he does not remember the content of the conversation, and that it was from years ago.
In the video, the former Premier League referee makes a joke which appears to imply that it was taken during lockdown.
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The man videoing him is shoulder to shoulder with Coote, who jokes: "We’re 2 metres apart."
Brenna Cooper