David Coote, the Premier League referee, has spoken out against allegations that have placed him at the center of a storm.

Accusations range from improper conduct during matches to inappropriate behavior off the pitch.

One of the claims involves a 2019 Championship match between Leeds and West Brom, where Coote allegedly texted a friend suggesting Ezgjan Alioski would receive a yellow card.

Alioski was indeed booked in the 18th minute, fueling suspicions of foul play. Coote has firmly denied these accusations, calling them “false and defamatory.”

The allegations emerged alongside leaked videos purportedly showing Coote using offensive language about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, and another clip suggesting drug use during Euro 2024.

Coote is currently suspended while investigations by the FA, PGMOL, and UEFA are ongoing.

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David Coote’s statement

In a statement, Coote denied the claims, stating: “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.”

Despite his defense, the controversies surrounding him have grown, with additional reports of alleged misconduct surfacing.

PGMOL, the referees’ governing body, has described the situation as “very serious” and confirmed a thorough investigation. UEFA has also suspended Coote from officiating its matches, citing the seriousness of the allegations.

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A career in crisis

With claims ranging from improper decisions to alleged personal misconduct, Coote faces a challenging road ahead. The referee insists he is innocent, but the growing list of accusations could have a lasting impact on his career.