Earlier this week, a video came out of David Coote talking of Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, in a derogatory manner, in which most of the words had to be censored. As a referee of a national standard, who officiated his first game four years ago, this behaviour was not to be tolerated. The Referees' body PGMOL has said it is taking these allegations "very seriously". Coote has currently been suspended from his role pending an investigation.
On Wednesday, more photos came out of Coote allegedly taking drugs through a rolled US bank note. These photos were published in the Sun, who state that they were taken during this summer’s European Championship. Coote was refereeing during this Championship, at the same time as these photos were supposedly taken. The Sun also says that these photos were taken and sent to a friend on multiple occasions throughout the Championship.
In light of this revelation, Uefa, European football’s governing body, has also launched an investigation, also suspending Coote from his European officiating role. He has been withdrawn from upcoming Uefa fixtures.