- David Coote was suspended by refereeing chiefs PGMOL earlier this month
- The referee is now alleged to have discussed giving a yellow card before a match
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW to It’s All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
The Football Association are investigating claims referee David Coote discussed booking a player before a match.
The allegations centre around a Championship game between Leeds and West Bromwich in October 2019.
It is reported in The Sun newspaper that Coote had a text exchange with a ‘pal’ in which it was suggested Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski would be booked during the clash at Elland Road.
During the 18th minute of the match, Alioski was brandished a yellow card by Coote after sliding in on West Brom‘s Darnell Furlong.
The following day, Coote is reported to have messaged his friend again to say: ‘What a day yesterday. I hope you backed as discussed.’
An FA spokesman confirmed on Tuesday night they are investigating the matter.
‘These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency,’ read a statement.
The Sun report Coote denies any wrongdoing and that there is no suggestion the official made any financial gain. The decision to give the yellow card is also considered the correct call by the referee given the nature of the challenge.
Insisting nothing untoward occurred during their discussion, Coote reportedly claims he was only having ‘banter’ with the friend.
During the exchange, Coote reportedly boasted to the Leeds fan that he was set to referee their Championship match against the Baggies.
It is reported the fan jokingly told Coote to give Alioski a yellow card during the game so he could place a bet on that outcome ahead of time.
On the eve of the fixture, the friend replied to another Coote message by saying: ‘Oooh big game. We still on for what we discussed? Maybe I could you if so.’
Coote responded: ‘Haha I don’t know what you mean.’
The friend added: ‘Haha, well I’m off to back it in the morning so don’t let me down.’
‘Haha will see,’ Coote replied.
During the 18th minute of the match, Alioski was brandished a yellow card by Coote after sliding in on West Brom’s Darnell Furlong.
Alioski was ultimately the match winner for Leeds, netting the only goal of the game in their 1-0 win at Elland Road.
A day after the match, Coote told the friend: ‘What a day yesterday. I hope you backed as discussed.’
The Leeds fan replied by saying that he did not bet on the outcome, admitting another friend ‘backed it though’.
‘Haha he will have to share with you then,’ the referee replied.
In a statement given to the Sun on Tuesday, the referee said: ‘Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field.
‘I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.’
Coote has found himself at the centre of a storm in recent weeks.
He was suspended by referees body PGMOL over an explicit rant about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp that was leaked on social media.
Since the video was circulated, Coote has since been filmed snorting a white powder during Euro 2024 earlier this summer.
