DISGRACED referee David Coote was at the center of an FA betting investigation last night after it emerged he had discussed giving a yellow card before the game.
Coote, 42, texted a friend afterwards: “I hope you supported what was agreed.”
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The FA has launched an urgent investigation into disgraced referee David Coote. Credit: Getty
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Messages have emerged showing Coote discussing the handing out of a yellow card to a player before the game. Credit: YouTube
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Coote is booked after 17 minutes for Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski for a foul on Darnell Furlong. Credits: Delivered
The FA said it was investigating “very serious allegations” as a matter of urgency.
Coote denies any wrongdoing.
The PGMOL judging body – which suspended Coote earlier this month for swearing at former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – was last night looking into the latest “very serious allegations”.
The FA has also launched a separate “urgent” investigation into messages received before and after Leeds United’s match against West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.
Coote is understood to accept there was an argument, but claims it was just “banter” and nothing untoward happened.
There is no indication that the judge made any financial gain.
Coote, who was filmed sniffing white powder during this summer’s Euros, said in a statement last night: “Whatever problems I have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decisions on the pitch.
“I have always held the integrity of the game in high regard, refereeing games impartially and to the best of my ability.”
In a new exchange revealed by The Sun, Coote appears to be looking to impress a Leeds fan he met online.
He boasted that he is set to referee Leeds’ upcoming Championship clash with West Brom.
Snotty referee David Coote organized a drugs party at the Travelodge before the Man City game – and even sent a text about it at half-time
A friend says he jokingly told Coote to give Leeds left-back Ezgjan Alioska a yellow card so he could bet in the bookies beforehand.
The day before the game, Coote tells him: “Yeah, really good, I’ve got Leeds tomorrow.”
A friend replied: “Ooh great game. We are still on what we talked about (Alioski). Maybe I could join you if that’s the case.”
Coote replies, “Haha, I don’t know what you mean.”
His friend then announces, “Haha well, I’m going to support in the morning, so don’t let me down.”
I hope you supported what we discussed
David Coote
Coote replied: “Haha, we’ll see.”
The following night, Alioski was booked in the 18th minute of the game for a sliding challenge on Darnell Furlong.
Last night football pundits said the booking was fully justified given the nature of the attack.
Leeds eventually won the game 1-0 with a goal from Alioski.
The next day, Coote texted his friend again: “What a day yesterday. I hope you supported what we discussed.”
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Coote’s friend says he jokingly told the referee to show the left-back a yellow card. Credits: Submitted
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David was also filmed sniffing the white powder at the Euros this summer
A friend tells him he didn’t put money into it, but he believes another friend “backed it anyway.”
Coote then replies, “Haha, he’ll have to share with you then.”
Football chiefs were last night examining the latest shocking revelations to ensure there is no corruption in the game.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a friend told The Sun yesterday: “My first contact with David Coote was online. When I talked to him a little, I learned about his job as a football referee.
“I jokingly told him to give Alioski a yellow card in Leeds United’s game against West Bromwich Albion the next day, so I could confirm it in the bookies.
“He sarcastically replied, ‘Haha, we’ll see.'” Just 18 minutes into the game the next day, Alioski received a yellow card.
It was Leeds’ only yellow card of the game.
“He texted me shortly after the game and said: ‘I hope you supported as agreed’.”
The latest accusations come after Coote was suspended for making wide-eyed comments about Liverpool and their then-manager Klopp.
Last night, sources close to the judge suggested he may have been “inappropriately bantering” and sending “ill-judged” messages.
But they dismissed any suggestion of corruption or deliberate carding of players and say he always refereed with “integrity and impartiality”.
PGMOL said last night: “Facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.
“We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Code of Conduct on Integrity, which is signed by all match officials every year.
“The PGMOL Board undertakes to take appropriate measures if any violation of that Code is proven. David Coote remains suspended and is subject to ongoing PGMOL disciplinary proceedings, separate from the FA’s independent investigation into the matter.
“We will not be commenting further at this stage.”
The Football Association added: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating them urgently.”
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Alioski played for Leeds United from 2017 to 2021. Credit: Rex Features
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Coote was recently embroiled in controversy after he was filmed targeting former Liverpool manager Jurgen KloppCredit: X
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Texts between David and friends
The official’s ‘coke’ offer in euros
By Stephen Moyes
THE Sun revealed earlier this month that David Coote was filmed sniffing white powder at this summer’s Euros.
The footage shows him snorting a substance in a hotel in Germany the day after the France-Portugal quarter-final, where he was a VAR assistant.
A few days earlier, he sent another photo showing his credit cards next to six white cut lines.
We then revealed he tried to organize a “drug party” in messages sent at half-time in Spurs’ Carabao Cup game against Man City last month.
He was suspended after he was filmed calling Jurgen Klopp a “German cu***”.
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