about the integrity and accountability of referees in professional football. Fans, players, and pundits have called for greater transparency and stricter oversight of match officials to ensure fair play and maintain public trust in the sport.

Coote, who officiated 112 Premier League games since his debut in 2018, retains the right to appeal the decision. Despite his removal, the PGMOL expressed its continued commitment to supporting Coote’s welfare.

This high-profile dismissal has sparked broader discussions....

While Coote denied any wrongdoing and called the allegations "false and defamatory," the PGMOL found the cumulative evidence sufficient to terminate his employment.

In addition to these allegations, Coote faced scrutiny over a 2019 Championship game, where he was accused of exchanging messages with a fan about issuing a yellow card before the match.

Although the authenticity of both the video and the images has not been independently verified, the PGMOL conducted a thorough review and concluded that Coote’s actions violated the terms of his employment, rendering his position "untenable."

The controversy deepened when images purportedly showing Coote using a white powder surfaced, published by a UK tabloid during the summer’s European Championship.

The incident reportedly referenced a controversial Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, where Klopp openly criticized Coote’s officiating decisions.

The 42-year-old official was suspended on November 11 after a video allegedly showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and its former manager, Jurgen Klopp, was circulated on social media.