Referee David Coote has been sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
The move came after a video surfaced on social media, which remains not 100% verified, in which Coote insults Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. The PGMOL initially suspended his rights, while the Football Association (FA) launched its own investigation.
The PGMOL investigation also covered a second video that emerged last month - in which Coote snorted white powder during Euro 2024, where he was one of the assistant VAR referees. European football's governing body (UEFA) has also appointed an ethics investigator into the case.
The FA confirmed the termination of Coote's contract, saying a detailed investigation concluded that he was "in serious breach of his contract which in no way warrants his continued employment".
David Coote made his Premier League debut in April 2018. The Nottinghamshire-born previously refereed in the Football League. He is registered with the FA as a Notts County supporter and refereed last year's Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle. | BGNES
