UEFA has released a statement after a video emerged of referee David Coote appearing to snort white powder during the Euro 2024 tournament, where he was working as a video assistant referee.
On Wednesday evening, The Sun shared exclusive footage of a man who they claim to be Coote 'snorting a four inch line of white powder' with a rolled up US bank note.
The outlet claim they received the eight-second clip from a 'pal' of Coote's, who said the video was filmed in his UEFA-funded hotel room on July 6 – a day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final clash between France and Portugal, where Coote was working as a support VAR official.
The report also suggests that scattered packets of prescription drugs and a credit card could be seen on his bedside table alongside the white powder.
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Now, UEFA has made the decision to suspend Coote until further notice.
A spokesman from UEFA told The Times: “The Uefa Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice — in advance of the upcoming round of UEFA matches — when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.”
A spokesperson from PGMOL – the body responsible for Premier League officials – has also commented on the latest incident. "We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation," it read.
"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 through this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage."
It comes just days after Coote was suspended by the PGMOL over a video which claims to show the referee making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Mirror journalist Darren Lewis later reported that Coote had admitted the video was legitimate to the PGMOL. However, it was also claimed that he stressed he does not remember the content of the conversation, which was said to be recorded several years ago.
The FA has also launched its own investigation into the video in which Coote makes disparaging remarks about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
It is said Coote's alleged use of Klopp's German nationality to preface one of his comments could be viewed as an 'aggravated breach' of FA rules, leading to a potential charge.
FA rules state that an 'aggravated breach' includes a reference 'whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality'.
A statement from the FA read: "We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating it."
Topics: Premier League, UEFA, PGMOL
Jack Kenmare