Former referee David Coote, who allegedly made derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club’s former manager Jurgen Klopp, is planning a new career earning £10,000 a time
Shamed Premier League football referee David Coote is plotting a new career as a £10,000-a-time after-dinner speaker.
He’s been red-carded by the referees’ body the PGMOL following a ‘thorough investigation’ into his conduct after he was filmed slagging off Liverpool and the club’s former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Now law graduate Coote, 42, has told pals he’s planning to “make a fortune” talking about his demise to boozed-up blokes at sports clubs and gentlemen’s evenings.
A source revealed: “David is going to let the dust settle a bit before hitting the after-dinner circuit and he reckons he will make a fortune.
“He is talking figures like £10,000 and he knows he will be in demand from people willing to pay big money to hear about his story and anecdotes from the game.
“He’s got some really explosive stuff about other figures in the game that will make him a popular speaker for sure.”
Former World Cup ref Howard Webb is a popular choice as keynote speaker and charges up to £15,000 for prestige bookings. The iconic Pierluigi Collina meanwhile demands £25,000 a pop for his words of wisdom from his career as a whistle-blower.
Coote faced three probes into his conduct.
A further investigation was opened after photos emerged said to be taken during this summer’s European Championship, which appeared to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled-up US bank note.
The PGMOL said Coote’s actions made his position ‘untenable’.
“David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract,” the PGMOL said.
“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.”
Coote has the right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.
The PGMOL first took action against Coote on 11 November following the release of a video on social media, which allegedly showed him criticising Liverpool and their former manager Klopp.
The video appeared to refer to a Premier League match that Coote officiated between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which finished 1-1.
Klopp criticised Coote after the game, saying the referee failed to give fouls for challenges made on Liverpool’s players.
The FA opened a new investigation following an allegation that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019.
A report claimed Coote exchanged messages with a fan discussing giving a yellow card before and after the game.
Coote denied any wrongdoing and said the allegation was “false and defamatory”.
The exchange referred to a booking Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski received in the match from Coote.
There is no suggestion of any financial gain by Coote and the booking is regarded as entirely correct.
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