Former Premier League referee David Coote has been banned from officiating by UEFA for one year.

The 42-year-old was dismissed by the PGMOL in December after a video surfaced on social media showing him making critical remarks about Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp—an action he chose not to contest.

His situation worsened when another video allegedly showed Coote inhaling a white substance, an incident reportedly occurring during the 2024 European Championships, where he was serving as an official.

Following an investigation by UEFA’s ethics committee, the governing body imposed a severe sanction, prohibiting Coote from officiating in any UEFA competitions until at least the summer of 2026.

In a statement detailing the decision, UEFA’s disciplinary body declared:

"Mr David Coote - Incidents and sanction: General principles of conduct, Art. 11(1) DR, Violating the basic rules of decent conduct, Art. 11(2)(b) DR, Bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute, Art. 11(2)(d) DR. Ban from exercising any UEFA refereeing activity until 30 June 2026."

Coote’s Response

Following the ruling, Coote issued a statement expressing remorse:

"This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell far below the standards expected of me.

"I deeply regret any offence my actions may have caused and the negative attention it brought to the game I love. I hope people understand that these were private moments during a very low point in my life and do not reflect who I am today."

"My focus now is on prioritising my mental health and well-being. I hope that my experiences, both on and off the field, can contribute positively to football in the future."

"Finally, I want to thank everyone who has supported me—my family, friends, former colleagues, PGMOL, Howard Webb, and countless others in football. A special thanks also to the many strangers who have reached out with words of encouragement—I appreciate it more than I can express."

Further Investigations

Coote’s troubles are not yet over, as the Football Association (FA) is currently investigating allegations of betting irregularities related to a Championship match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019, which he officiated. Coote has denied any wrongdoing.

Following a thorough internal review, PGMOL announced Coote’s dismissal, stating:

"David Coote's actions were found to be in serious breach of his employment contract, rendering his position untenable. Supporting David Coote remains important to us, and we continue to prioritise his welfare. He has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment."

Coote’s Officiating Career

During his refereeing career, Coote officiated 112 Premier League matches and 143 Championship fixtures. He also took charge of the 2023 Carabao Cup final at Wembley, where Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United.