The Soccer Affiliation has launched an “pressing” investigation into referee David Coote following claims he mentioned reserving a participant previous to a recreation.
The Solar alleges Coote had a textual content dialog with a pal earlier than the Championship match between Leeds United and West Brom in 2019 wherein the topic of Leeds left-back Ezgjan Alioski being proven a yellow card was talked about.
Alioski was booked within the 18th minute for a problem on Darnell Furlong.
Coote is alleged to have textual content the particular person again the next day and mentioned: “I hope you backed as mentioned.”
The FA have launched a probe “as a matter of urgency” whereas Coote has denied any wrongdoing.
In a press release, the official mentioned: “I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations.
“No matter points I’ll have had in my private life they’ve by no means affected my decision-making on the sector.
“I’ve all the time held the integrity of the sport within the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the very best of my means.”
Coote is presently suspended from refereeing whereas the FA and refereeing physique PGMOL study footage that appeared to point out him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former boss Jurgen Klopp.
He has additionally been stood down from taking cost of matches in UEFA competitions after a second video emerged that purported to point out Coote snorting a white powder throughout Euro 2024.
