David Coote has hit back at allegations that surfaced last night, claiming he discussed booking a player before he refereed a match five years ago.
Coote is currently suspended by referees’ chiefs after a leaked video circulated online earlier this month where he was alleged to have called former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a ‘German ****’ and the Anfield club ‘s***’.
The refs’ body is also looking into a video of a man alleged to be Coote snorting a white powder in a hotel room during last summer’s Euros, at which he officiated.
Mail Sport reported last week how an investigation into the official remains ongoing.
Fresh bombshell allegations then emerged on Tuesday night centred around a Championship game between Leeds and West Bromwich in October 2019.
It was 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, with the North Macedonian star subsequently cautioned in the 18th minute.
David Coote has hit back at allegations that surfaced last night, claiming he discussed booking a player before he refereed a match five years ago
However, speaking for the first time since the claims emerged, Coote protested his innocence and slammed the ‘false and defamatory allegations’.
In a statement, he said: ‘I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations.
‘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.’
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.’