FA launch investigation into allegations David Coote discussed giving yellow card before match

A fresh investigation has been launched

The incident is said to have occurred in October 2019 when Coote booked Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski during a match against West Brom.

The Sun claims that the day before, he had discussed giving a yellow card to the player with a Leeds fan he had met online.

After the game he sent him a message saying: "I hope you backed as discussed."

However, Coote has strongly denied the claims in a statement.

He said: "I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations.

"Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field.

"I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability."

The referee was previously suspended after a video began circulating online of him ranting about Liverpool and their then-boss Jurgen Klopp.

This was then followed by a video showing Coote snorting a white powder.

After the most recent allegations, a spokesperson for Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) told Sky Sports News: "The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.

"We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis.

"PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that Code be proven.

"David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by The FA."

Coote has officiated in the top flight of English football since April 2018, when he took charge of the game against Newcastle and West Brom. At the conclusion of the 2018/19 season he was promoted to Select Group 1 and has gone on to officiate finals such as the Carabao Cup clash between Manchester United and Newcastle.