European football bosses at UEFA have kicked David Coote, a former Premier League referee, out of the game until June 2026. The 42-year-old got the boot from Premier League Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) in December after a video popped up showing him trash-talking Liverpool and their old boss, Jurgen Klopp. Things got worse when another clip showed him snorting white powder said to be during Euro 2024 leaving PGMOL no choice but to sack him for breaking his contract big time.
UEFA’s ethics team met last week and didn’t hold back. They said Coote’s actions broke basic decency rules and dragged football and UEFA through the mud. The ban means he can’t referee anywhere under their watch for over a year. It’s a harsh fall for a guy who once called the shots in England’s top league.
Coote tried to explain himself in a January interview, coming out as gay and saying hiding who he was pushed him to make dumb moves like the Liverpool rant and drug use. He owned up, saying, “I’m really sorry for upsetting anyone.” But apologies won’t change the score: he’s out of the game till 2026, and football fans won’t forget this mess anytime soon.