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Leeds United issue statement after David Coote yellow card allegations emerge amid FA probe
Leeds United say they have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL after an investigation was opened into one of their games. An allegation have been made surrounding referee David Coote, allegations he fiercely denies, which centre on a Leeds United match against West Bromwich Albion from October 2019.
Coote is the subject of a fresh scandal after it emerged he subject to an investigation into a betting probe by The Football Association. The Sun reports Coote exchanged messages with someone about refereeing that match, and afterwards sent: “I hope you backed as discussed.” Coote denies any wrongdoing.
Leeds United have issued a statement. They say; "Leeds United are aware of the allegations regarding the conduct of a match official, involving our EFL Championship fixture with West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.
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"We respect and have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL regulations and processes. We will be making no further comment at this time."
During that game the 42-year-old Coote booked Ezgjan Alioski during an Elland Road win over West Bromwich Albion in 2019 and that is the decision at the heart of this fresh report. Alioski was booked in the 18th minute of the match after a sliding tackle on Darnell Furlong. The North Macedonian slid through the right-back after the ball had been clipped over Alioski. It was the only yellow shown to a Leeds player on the night, but did appear at the time and again now as a valid booking.
In a report by The Sun, who revealed the probe, The FA said it was investigating the “very serious allegations as a matter of urgency”. The FA said in a statement: "These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency".
Coote himself denies any wrongdoing. He does accept that a "conversation" took place relating to a Championship fixture between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion back in October 2019, though he claims it was only "banter".
He said in a statement: “Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”
A spokesperson for PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) told Sky Sports News: "The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our integrity code of conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis.
“PGMOL board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that code be proven. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter, which will be carried out independently by the FA (The Football Association).
"We will be making no further comment at this stage."
A spokesperson for the FA told Sky Sports News: "These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency."
