UEFA opens investigation into Premier League ref David Coote over video of him snorting white powder during Euro 2024
UEFA have opened an investigation into suspended Premier League referee David Coote after he was filmed snorting white powder in a shocking video taken while he was on duty at Euro 2024.
In the eight second Whatsapp film the under-fire VAR specialist is wide-eyed as he uses a rolled up US bank note to snort a four inch line of what appears to be cocaine.
Coote is expected to quit as a referee before he’s sacked[/caption]
Coote, 42, was suspended by the PGMOL, governing body for professional referees, this week after a separate video emerged of him, again wide-eyed, calling former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t”.
The Sun’s exclusive new video was taken on July 6 – a day after the Euro 2024 quarter final clash between France and Portugal, where he acted as a support VAR official.
UEFA confirmed in a statement today they have now opened an investigation into the ref for a potential violation of its regulations.
It read: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
On the bedside table alongside the white powder are scattered packets of prescription drugs, a credit card, and the Terry Hayes novel The Year of The Locust.
He sent the clip to a pal and it’s believed he filmed himself in his Uefa-funded hotel room he used during the tournament.
The ref sent another photo from Frankfurt on July 1. It showed his credit cards on a saucer either side of six chopped-up lines of suspicious white powder. He was staying in hotel rooms appointed by tournament organiser UEFA.
The pal, who wishes to remain anonymous, also reveals that the referee made other derogatory remarks about Everton football club and Liverpool player Andy Robertson.
Coote’s previous comments about Klopp are now at the centre of both a PGMOL and FA investigation into his conduct.
As the scandal grew this week, Uefa also took him off their roster for games during this weekend’s international break.
Other videos were sent over the summer from France, where Coote officiated at three football matches at the Paris Olympics. They included the Israel versus Japan clash on July 30, where he was in charge of VAR.
His pal has told how Coote said in video chats that table toppers Liverpool “will not win the Premier League” this season.
