FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey reckons David Coote should keep his job despite his snorting shame.
SunSport exclusively revealed the moment top-flight official Coote snorted a white powder in a video taken during Euro 2024.
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We also revealed how he set up a drugs party in a Travelodge before last month’s Carabao Cup clash between Tottenham and Man City – even sending a message during half-time while acting as the fourth official.
Coote’s drug shame came to light following his suspension after being filmed in another video branding ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t.”
An investigation has now been launched by the Premier League and the PGMOL referee body.
While it has since been revealed that no referee or match official has ever been tested for drugs in the history of the Prem.
A decision on Coote’s future will be made once the PGMOL have concluded their investigation.
But former Prem official Halsey would like to see him continue working as a ref.
Speaking on SunSport’s YouTube show The Whistleblower, Halsey expressed sympathy for Coote’s situation while saying “everybody makes mistakes.”
He urged the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure a duty of care for the suspended ref.
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And Halsey is hopeful Coote can get the help he needs before returning to the field as an official.
When asked where the situation left the PGMOL – and the credibility of Prem refs – Halsey said: “It’s difficult for me to say.
Shocking David Coote video in full
First video
First man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”
First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”
First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “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***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.
“So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”
First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”
First man: “Mask on, obviously.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”
First man: “We have to social distance.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”
First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”
Second video
Second man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”
First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.
“Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”
Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”
First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”
“Obviously a lot of officials will be hurting and there will be feeling for David Coote.
“I feel for David, he’s got to be supported by the PGMOL with his mental health. I can imagine exactly what he’s going through at this present time.
“People could argue he’s bought it upon himself but at the same time we’ve got a duty of care with David, the PGMOL and the Premier League, a duty of care to help him get through this.
“The question to ask is does he deserve to keep his position as an elite referee? I’m not going to make any judgement on that.
“Everybody makes mistakes, I’d like to see him rehabilitated on situations and perhaps keep his job.
“Hopefully he learns from his mistakes but that’s not for me to decide. That’s down to the PGMOL and Premier League to carry out their investigation and come to a conclusion.”
