Suspended Referee David Coote Involved in New Scandal as FA Investigates Claims of Discussing Booking a Player Before Match

The Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into allegations that Premier League referee David Coote discussed booking a player before officiating a match.

The claims relate to a Championship game between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.

Coote reportedly exchanged text messages with an acquaintance, during which it was suggested that Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski would receive a booking during the match at Elland Road.

In the 18th minute of the game, Coote issued a yellow card to Alioski for a sliding tackle 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 spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday night that an investigation into the matter is underway.

‘These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency,’ read a statement.

Referee David Coote denies any wrongdoing and insists there is no evidence he gained financially from the incident. The decision to book Ezgjan Alioski is also widely considered correct based on the nature of the challenge.

Coote reportedly explained that his exchange with the friend was nothing more than lighthearted “banter.”

During the conversation, Coote is said to have mentioned he was officiating Leeds United’s Championship clash against West Bromwich Albion, to which the Leeds fan jokingly suggested Alioski be booked so they could place a bet on the outcome.

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.

In the 18th minute of the match, Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski received a yellow card from referee David Coote for a sliding tackle on West Brom’s Darnell Furlong.

Despite the booking, Alioski played a pivotal role in the match, scoring the decisive goal in Leeds’ 1-0 victory 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 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.’

David Coote has recently been embroiled in controversy following several high-profile incidents.

The Premier League referee was suspended by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after a leaked explicit rant about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp surfaced on social media.

Additionally, Coote faced further scrutiny after a video emerged showing him snorting a white substance during the Euro 2024 tournament earlier this year.