“It was crazy” - David Coote accused of trying to set up drugs party while officiating Tottenham vs Man City match; friend shares private messages
Referee David Coote seemingly tried to organize a drug party after a match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on October 30. A friend of the official shared messages that were sent to him before and during the game.
The news came after the PGMOL suspended Coote for making derogatory comments about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded in 2020. Now, another clip has surfaced, which sees the referee snorting a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024.
Adding to his woes, a friend told The Sun (via Metro):
"On the day of the game he was messaging me repeatedly and wanting a drugs party after he’d finished at Spurs. He didn’t book the Travelodge until just before kick-off, then sent a notification 11 minutes from the game starting. It was crazy."
"City striker Erling Haaland was on the bench, so I was watching them on TV pretty much side by side. And moments before and afterwards he sent me messages."
Coote is then said to have messaged once again at halftime, saying:
"Hope you’re getting ready. When he messaged me at half-time I thought it was so surreal. Surely he should have been concentrating on the game, not arranging drugs parties."
However, the meeting never transpired, according to Coote's friend, who wrapped up the story by revealing:
"I didn’t feel like meeting up in the end so told him I couldn’t make it. He went mad and asked for the £73.99 total booking fee back."
UEFA have also suspended the English official after the aforementioned videos surfaced and are said to be further investigating the matter.
Gary Neville believes David Coote could return to refereeing after recent scandal
Manchester United legend Gary Neville opined on what must happen to David Coote after a video surfaced of the latter sharing scathing remarks about Jurgen Klopp.
While the Red Devils defender said Coote ought to be suspended, he believes that the offense shouldn't see the referee lose his job forever. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said (via Empire of the Kop):
"I think he probably should get a suspension of some kind. I don’t think someone being completely canceled forever from doing the job for calling someone what he did, it’s not a sackable offense.”
However, the ex-Manchester United defender's colleague Jamie Carragher differed in opinion, claiming that Coote should referee abroad or lower divisions in England.