David Coote is “aware of the support network available to him” because the investigation into the official continues, the PGMOL has mentioned.
Nottinghamshire official Coote, 42, was suspended by Skilled Recreation Match Officers Restricted (PGMOL) on November 11 pending a full investigation after a video emerged during which he appeared to make extremely derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former head coach Jurgen Klopp.
A day later, The Solar printed a video which appeared to indicate Coote snorting a white powder. The newspaper mentioned the video had been filmed throughout Euro 2024, the place Coote was working as a VAR.
Match organiser UEFA mentioned it had appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to research the matter.
On Thursday PGMOL issued an replace by way of a spokesperson which said: “We are following an internal process and taking the allegations into David Coote’s conduct very seriously as part of our ongoing full and thorough investigation.
“While David stays suspended, his welfare continues to be necessary to us and he’s conscious of the assist community accessible to him.”
Coote’s feedback about Klopp are additionally being investigated by the Soccer Affiliation.
The FA has the facility to research remarks made in a non-public context and it’s understood a part of its investigation will centre on whether or not remarks about Klopp’s nationality represent an aggravated breach of its misconduct guidelines.
That footage has not been verified however it’s understood to be being handled as real by PGMOL.
The Solar mentioned the video showing to indicate Coote snorting a white powder was taken on July 6, the day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final conflict between Portugal and France, for which Coote was an assistant VAR.
PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, talking on Match Officers Mic’d Up on Sky Sports activities on the week the video emerged, mentioned: “We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously. We’ve instigated a full investigation.
“One in all our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with quick impact, pending the end result of that investigation.
“There is not much more I can say at this stage until we have worked through that investigation.”