Former Premier League Official David Coote Will Not Appeal PGMOL Dismissal

David Coote, who first officiated a Premier League game in 2018 and is a former official for the league, has decided not to appeal his dismissal from the PGMOL, the body responsible for professional game match officials. The 42-year-old Coote was terminated from his position earlier in the current month subsequent to a “thorough investigation” into his behavior conducted by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Although he possessed the right to appeal this decision, sources have informed BBC Sport that the official has chosen not to pursue this option. BBC Sport has reached out to Coote seeking a statement. The PGMOL suspended Coote on November 11, awaiting a comprehensive investigation, after a video purportedly depicting him making disparaging remarks regarding Liverpool and its former manager, Jurgen Klopp, circulated across social media platforms. An additional inquiry commenced two days subsequent to this, following the publication by The Sun of photographs it claims were captured during this summer’s European Championship, which allegedly depict Coote inhaling a white powder using a rolled-up US bank note. The BBC has not independently authenticated either the photographs or the video. The PGMOL stated that Coote’s conduct rendered his position “untenable”. The organization continues to provide support to Coote, having previously declared its commitment “to his welfare”. Furthermore, Coote’s conduct is currently under investigation by both the Football Association and Uefa.