A new controversy has surrounded Premier League referee David Coote after a video was released showing him allegedly snorting white powder in a hotel room during the Euro 2024 tournament. The eight-second clip, which leaked on Wednesday, shows a man believed to be Coote using a rolled-up banknote to inhale the powder.
Coote is already suspended by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) after another video surfaced earlier in which he insulted Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and the team. This led to Coote being removed from officiating European matches by UEFA.
The video was reportedly filmed on July 6, the day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France, where Coote was working as a VAR assistant. The footage is said to have been taken in a UEFA-funded hotel room.
UEFA confirmed on Wednesday that they suspended Coote immediately on November 11 after becoming aware of his inappropriate behavior. PGMOL also expressed concern over the new allegations, stating that Coote remains suspended as they conduct a full investigation. They assured that Coote’s well-being is a priority during this time, though they declined to comment further.
