In a shocking turn of events, Premier League referee David Coote has found himself at the center of a scandal involving alleged plans to organize a “drugs party” following his officiating duties during the October clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Coote, 42, reportedly sent messages during the half-time interval of the match to arrange a narcotics-fueled gathering at a nearby Travelodge hotel, just moments after the game had kicked off.
According to reports from The Sun, Coote’s actions raise serious questions about his professionalism and judgment. Just minutes before the start of the match, Coote had reportedly booked a hotel room at 7:38 p.m., sending a booking notification to a friend at 8:04 p.m., 11 minutes before the game was due to begin. Allegedly, during the half-time break of City’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs, the disgraced referee sent a text message saying, “hope you’re getting ready (to meet).” The message came as Coote, in his role as the fourth official, should have been focused on the match in front of him.
Sources close to the incident have spoken out about the bizarre nature of the situation. One source stated, “On the day of the game, he was messaging me repeatedly, wanting a drugs party after he’d finished at Spurs. He didn’t book the Travelodge until just before kick-off, then sent a notification just 11 minutes before the game started. It was crazy.” The source went on to describe the surreal nature of the halftime messages, questioning how Coote could have been thinking about arranging a gathering while officiating a high-stakes Premier League match.
Adding to the shock of this revelation, the source claims that Coote grew angry when they decided to pull out of the planned meet-up. “He went mad,” the source said. “He even requested £73.99 in compensation for the booking fee.” The entire situation is a stunning example of the referee’s lack of judgment and focus on the game, raising questions about his fitness to officiate in top-level football.
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This incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Coote. Just days before the Travelodge fiasco came to light, a video surfaced showing Coote using offensive language towards Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. The footage showed Coote calling Klopp a “German ****” and criticizing the club in foul-mouthed terms. Initially, Coote denied the authenticity of the video, only to later admit that it was indeed him in the clip. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the governing body for referees in England, has since launched an investigation into the incident.
Adding fuel to the fire, an even more troubling video emerged this week, allegedly showing Coote inhaling a white powder using a rolled-up banknote. This footage, recorded during the summer’s European Championship, reportedly shows Coote in a hotel room after officiating at the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Portugal and France. In light of this new video, UEFA swiftly took action and suspended Coote from officiating European matches, with the governing body announcing that the suspension would remain in place until further notice.
On November 11, UEFA’s Referees Committee issued a statement confirming Coote’s suspension, saying, “The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.” This swift action highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the need for officials to maintain the highest standards of conduct, both on and off the field.
Oh no, David Coote caught doing cocaine, he's really is finished as a referee!
— Football Hub (@FootbalIhub) November 13, 2024
The video is apparently from the 2024 Euros where he was officiating 😳pic.twitter.com/OEnrTMtSu1
The PGMOL also issued a statement acknowledging the gravity of the situation. A spokesperson for the organization said, “We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.” The spokesperson added that Coote’s welfare would be prioritized during the investigation, but emphasized that no further comments could be made at this time.
Coote’s fall from grace is not only a personal disaster but a blow to the integrity of the officiating profession. The allegations raise fundamental questions about the standards to which referees are held and the responsibility they bear when representing the game. With Coote suspended and investigations underway, many in the football world are watching closely to see how this scandal will unfold and whether further revelations will emerge.
As the investigation progresses, one thing is clear: David Coote’s future in football officiating is uncertain. The Premier League and UEFA have set a precedent by acting swiftly in suspending him, but the long-term consequences for Coote remain to be seen. This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the scrutiny that referees face, and the importance of maintaining the highest levels of professionalism both on and off the pitch.
With the football world in shock, fans, players, and officials alike will be waiting to see how this saga unfolds. What is clear is that this controversy is far from over, and it raises serious questions about the culture within professional officiating. As more details emerge, this story will undoubtedly continue to dominate the headlines.
