A video has emerged of a man alleged to be suspended Premier League referee David Coote snorting a white powder in a hotel room while he was officiating at last summer’s Euros.
The eight-second clip, which leaked on Wednesday night, allegedly shows the official using a rolled-up bank note to inhale the powder.
Coote is currently suspended by referees’ body PGMOL, who launched an investigation after a separate video emerged of him calling manager Jurgen Klopp a ‘German c***’ and Liverpool ‘s***’.
He was also stood down from officiating European matches by UEFA.
The latest video is said to have been recorded on July 6, the day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Portugal and France, in which Coote was a support VAR official and Michael Oliver was the referee.
It is also reported to have been filmed in a UEFA-funded hotel room.
🚨 The video of David Coote sniffing white powder. 😨
(Source: @TheSunFootball) pic.twitter.com/N8w33nUvaV
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 13, 2024
UEFA said on Wednesday night in relation to Coote’s previous conduct: ‘The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on November 11 when it became aware of his inappropriate behaviour.’
A PGMOL spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.
‘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.’