Referee David Coote attempted to organise ‘Travelodge drug party’ DURING Manchester City match | OneFootball

Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup featured an attempted ‘drug party’ arrangement behind-the-scenes, it has been claimed.

That concerned referee David Coote, who was suspended earlier this month after a video appearing to show him making derogatory comments about Premier League side Liverpool and the club’s former manager Jurgen Klopp circulated throughout social media.

The refereeing governing body PGMOL stated in light of the footage surfacing that the suspension of Coote comes into force with immediate effect, and is pending a full investigation with enquiries treating the video as genuine.

A PGMOL spokesperson said at the time, “We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.

“David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”

Now, in light of the initial leaked footage on social media, a new report has issued claims around Coote’s conduct whilst on officiating duties around a Manchester City fixture only last month.

According to The Sun newspaper, Coote sent messages ‘arranging a drugs party’ moments before kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and even during the half-time break between Tottenham and Manchester City.

It is claimed that Coote had booked a room at a nearby Travelodge at around 7:38pm, just 37 minutes before the League Cup clash was due to commence, before sending a booking notification to someone within his close circle at 8:04pm prior to the 8:15pm kick-off time.

The report also reveals that David Coote then took his spot on the touchline between Ange Postecoglou and Pep Guardiola, before messaging a friend at the half-time break, saying, “hope you’re getting ready” to meet.

Across his top-level officiating career, David Coote has officiated a total of eight Manchester City matches to date, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning all of those contests and only four yellow cards being issued in that time.

Manchester City return to action following the international break with a meeting against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, as Ange Postecoglou’s side visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.