David Coote has refuted allegations he mentioned giving a yellow card earlier than a match.
The Solar newspaper claims Coote booked then-Leeds participant Ezgjan Alioski in a match towards West Brom in October 2019, then messaged a good friend saying: “I hope you backed as discussed.”
In response to the allegations, Coote stated: “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’ve all the time held the integrity of the sport within the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the very best of my skill.”
A spokesperson for PGMOL told Sky Sports News: “The information have to be established in gentle of those very severe allegations.
“We undertake a zero-tolerance method to any breach of our integrity code of conduct, which is signed by all match officers on an annual foundation. PGMOL board is dedicated to taking the suitable motion ought to any breach of that code be confirmed.
“David Coote stays suspended and topic to an ongoing disciplinary course of by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter, which can be carried out independently by the FA.
“We will be making no further comment at this stage.”
A spokesperson for the FA instructed Sky Sports activities Information: “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
Leeds are conscious of the most recent allegations however don’t want to remark presently.
