David Coote eyeing new career after Premier League sacking – and will still be on TV screens
David Coote eyeing new career after Premier League sacking – and will still be on TV screens
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Ex-Premier League referee David Coote has revealed his intentions to stay in football - despite being sacked as an official. The 42-year-old is considering a move into media to advocate for referees, who have faced intense scrutiny recently, with Michael Oliver being the latest target of online abuse after he controversially sent off Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves on Saturday.
Coote was initially suspended by the PGMOL on November 11 following the circulation of a video in which he was seen making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their ex-manager, Jurgen Klopp. Just two days later, images surfaced showing the former official seemingly sniffing a white substance, reportedly taken during Euro 2024, when Coote was on duty.
The PGMOL launched an investigation into him, and the FA initiated its own probe into Coote over potential match-fixing during a Championship match between Leeds United and West Brom in October 2019. Although Coote denied the allegations, he was dismissed by the refereeing body on December 9 with immediate effect.
Since then, Coote has spoken out about the scandal in his first interview post-dismissal, sharing his current plans and ambitions to kickstart a career in the media. The Nottingham-born Coote is presently training for a marathon in May, aiming to raise funds for motor neurone disease research, a condition his uncle is battling.
In a candid chat with The Sun, he shared: "I'll be looking to make sure my health and wellbeing is in the best possible place. Nobody really prepares you for moving through each level and then arriving in the Premier League, which is like a goldfish bowl.
