The English Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into allegations of pre-match yellow card discussions against suspended referee David Cote.
First of all The Sun reported.investigation refers to the middle match. Leeds United And West Bromwich Albion In October 2019. Cote booked Leeds player Izjan Alewski during the match. There is no error in issuing the card.
The Sun claim that Cote spoke to a fan he met online the day before about handing the player a yellow card, and then texted him the following day, saying: “What a day yesterday. I hope you will support the discussion.”
An FA spokesman told ESPN: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating immediately.”
Cote said in a statement: “I strongly deny these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever issues I have had in my personal life have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always maintained the integrity of the game. I have given utmost importance to refereeing the matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”
Cote, 42, was initially removed by PGMOL after posting a first video on X on November 11 that showed him making disparaging remarks about the referee. Liverpool And his former manager Jürgen Klopp.
Two days later another video, filmed by Cote and shared by a friend on WhatsApp, was published by The Sun. It was reportedly taken at a hotel designated by UEFA on 6 July, the day after his final appointment to Euro 2024. Portugal Vs France quarterfinals, and showed him sniffing white powder.
Cote had already been suspended by UEFA along with PGMOL, and European football’s governing body subsequently launched its own investigation.
PGMOL said in a statement: “Facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which all match officials are subject to annually. Sign the basics.
“The PGMOL Board is committed to taking appropriate action if any breach of this Code is found. David Cote will remain suspended and subject to ongoing disciplinary proceedings by the PGMOL, which are separate from the investigation into the matter by the FA. will be done independently. We will not comment further at this stage.”
Information from Dale Johnson contributed to this report.