Howard Webb has warned disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote there is no route back for him as a top-flight official. Chief refereeing boss Webb says Coote “made some bad choices” away from the pitch and would encounter too much animosity if he officiated another professional match.
Earlier this month, Coote received an eight-week suspension from the FA for his disparaging comments about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, which included references to his nationality, in footage leaked online last November.
The 42-year-old was dismissed a month afterwards by Premier League referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited, following a probe into his behaviour.
A separate clip subsequently surfaced of Coote snorting a white substance whilst on duty at Euro 2024.
Now PGMOL chief refereeing officer Webb has shut the door on any possibility of Coote returning to the middle, conceding: “It would be really difficult for David to come back, I’m afraid to say.
“He is somebody that we stay in contact with, somebody who was part of our refereeing family for a long time, served the game and I’ve known him personally for many years.
“So it’s sad what happened with with David, but I would think it would be challenging thing for him to come back.
“Of course when it (the video leak) happened, it became apparent that David had made some bad choices away from the football field.
“But he was an employee of ours, so obviously we had to care for him and we had to try to understand why he made some of those choices and where they connected to the job that he had.
“We spoke to all of our officials as well and asked them, ‘How are you feeling about all of this?’
“And there was some feedback from them about the support that they think they need, which was a good time for us to reflect on the services that we do provide within our own staff expertise.
“We’ve got support psychologists and some elements of mental health and well-being support. But there was a recognition that could be beefed up to signpost officials to places outside of our expertise where they could get support.
“I think that it’s opened our eyes to the need to have those conversations on a human level almost with our officials. Over the years, I’ve been there myself – traditionally, you just always say I’ve got to show strength, I’ve got to show resilience. I’ve got to show that they’re not nobody’s getting to me.
“I’ve got a thick skin, of course, but over time it can kind of weigh you down.”
