David Coote wants career that will keep him on TV screens after Prem sacking
David Coote was sacked by the PGMOL in December after controversial videos of the ex-Premier League referee went viral, but he has revealed his plans to remain on TV screens
Former Premier League referee David Coote has expressed his desire to remain in the football world despite being sacked from his officiating role.
The 42-year-old is contemplating a career in the media to champion referees, who have recently been under severe scrutiny, with Michael Oliver becoming the latest victim of online threats and abuse after he controversially red-carded Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Coote was initially suspended by the PGMOL on November 11 after a video circulated showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Just two days later, footage emerged showing the ex-official apparently sniffing a white substance, reportedly captured during Euro 2024 when Coote was on duty.
The PGMOL initiated an investigation into him, and the FA launched its own inquiry into Coote over potential match-fixing during a Championship game between Leeds United and West Brom in October 2019.
Despite Coote denying the allegations, he was sacked by the refereeing body on December 9 with immediate effect. Since then, Coote has spoken out about the scandal in his first interview since his dismissal, revealing his plan to launch a career in the media.
The Nottingham-born Coote is currently training for a marathon in May, aiming to raise money for research into motor neurone disease, a condition his uncle is fighting.
In an open discussion with The Sun, Coote shared: "I'll be looking to make sure my health and wellbeing is in the best possible place. Nobody really prepares you for moving through each level and then arriving in the Premier League, which is like a goldfish bowl.
"You don't apply for promotion, people just take a judgment on your performances and you as a person, and give you the opportunity at a new level.
"All of us who operate at the top levels of the game, we're just normal guys, football fans who've been fortunate enough to be selected and move through the levels."
"I've been really fortunate as a football fan to have seen the great players at such close quarters. But there is a trade-off. We don't get an easy ride of it."