An investigation into refereeing culture in the Premier League is necessary after the broadcast of the two David Coote videos.

That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Hugh Woozencroft, who believes Coote’s behavior demonstrates that Professional Game Match Officials Ltd needs to take a deep look at what could be a bigger problem within the organisation.

4

Earlier this week, footage published on X reportedly showed Premier League referee Coote make x-rated comments about Liverpool And Jurgen Klopp.

Then, two days after being suspended from his duties by the PGMOL and UEFA, new images of Coote reportedly sniff a white substancebelieved to be cocaine, emerged at Euro 2024.

In response, the PGMOL said: “We are aware of the allegations and take them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.

“David’s welfare continues to be of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the continued support he requires during this time. We are unable to comment further at this stage.”

But Woozencroft says the body will have to go beyond just investigating Coote.

Reacting to the second video on Wednesday, he said on Kick Off: “I think it’s imperative that we hear something as soon as possible from the PGMOL.

“We cannot have silence from this body. It is so important to know that we have integrity moving forward.

“We can’t go back with the Premier League – although I think it came at the right time for them in terms of the international break and giving them some time with their officials, away from football English, to find out what’s going on.

“(They need to) ask all referees, not just David Coote, we have to find out now. What is the life of a referee really like? Is this happening because of the pressures of the game?

“Are these comments being made about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp because of what is happening on the touchline?

4

“Is there a solution to this problem that can help all officials as soon as possible, and hopefully football as a whole?

“But they need to tell us what they know as soon as possible, and I think that’s fair to football fans.”

talkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook agrees, saying: “We need an update on where their investigation is.

“I think we need official confirmation that David Coote has admitted that the first video was authentic.”

But while he believes Coote should be investigated, Crook believes a “witch hunt” against him should be avoided.

He continued: “Some clarity is needed. This is not an easy situation for Howard Webb at a time when referees are probably more scrutinized than they have ever been.

4

“A lot of it is down to themselves, but you make a very good point. We don’t know the pressure that comes with being a top referee.

“Some of the language David Coote used in this video, while we don’t agree with it, is clearly unacceptable coming from someone in his position. I imagine he would claim he was subject to similar language in the exercise of his responsibilities as an arbitrator.

“So maybe it’s just the sign of a guy who’s under intense pressure and he’s cracking under that pressure.

“I hope that wherever he is tonight he gets the help he needs. There is a risk this becomes a witch hunt.

“And that doesn’t help anyone.”

Ancient Chelsea and Charlton star Scott Minto was alongside Woozencroft in the studio, and he believes that although Coote’s career is “in tatters”, he needs support.

“With friends like that, who needs enemies?” he said, regarding the report published The Sun that a friend of Coote’s had sent the video of the gunpowder to the newspaper.

“It’s clearly about money.”

He continued: “It’s gone to another level now. I don’t know if he has a problem. If he does or not, he needs a little counseling.

“Obviously there will be issues on a personal level, both for him and his family.

“But from a professional point of view he clearly needs to be removed from the game. Certainly in the short term.

“Will he ever be reinstated? I’m all for redemption, and people can make mistakes. Sometimes it takes a big shock to realize you can’t do it. That.

4

“We don’t know his personal problems at the moment, but at the moment he cannot referee. Not just in the Premier League, but elsewhere for a while.”

He concluded: “Right now his career is in tatters.”

UEFA – the organizer of Euro 2024 – also released a statement on Coote’s alleged behavior during the tournament.

“The UEFA Referees Committee immediately suspended David Coote until further notice on November 12 – ahead of the next round of UEFA matches – when it became aware of his inappropriate behavior.”