PGMOL responds to second David Coote video of referee allegedly 'snorting white powder'

Referee David Coote, temporarily suspended pending an investigation, has seen a second alleged video released online in which he appears to snort a white powder with a rolled-up bank note.

The video shows a line of white powder being snorted on a cluttered table, with a bank card and prescription drugs also in view. The video was reportedly taken from a hotel room this summer while Coote was officiating at Euro 2024 in Germany.

The PGMOL has since issued a statement, with a spokesperson saying: "We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.

"David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage."

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The latest video comes after Coote had already been heavily criticized this week for allegedly calling former Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp a "German c---" and brandishing the Premier League club as "s---" after recounting his experiences officiating their games. This video is believed to have been recorded several years ago but spread across social media on Monday.

After the man who is believed to be Coote called Klopp a "c---", they went on to explain: "Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown. Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f------ pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f------ arrogant.

"So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner." The official had only just acted as the referee for Saturday's game between Liverpool and Aston Villa, which saw the Reds secure a 2-0 victory ahead of the November international break.

Coote was suspended shortly after the first video went viral, with a PGMOL spokesperson saying: "David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."

There have already been calls for Coote to step down as a referee and never officiate at the top level of English soccer again after the first video was released. Coote has already been withdrawn from officiating upcoming Nations League games by UEFA, and his future in England rests with the PGMOL and the English Football Association.

PGMOL chief and former referee Howard Webb said on Tuesday: "We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously. We've instigated a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation. There's not much more I can say at this stage until we've worked through that investigation."

Liverpool.com has made an attempt to contact Coote's lawyer for comment.