UEFA Remove David Coote From Nations League Duty After Video Surfaces; Ref Faces FA and PGMOL Investigations

Key Findings

David Coote has been dropped from officiating in the Nations League by UEFA.
The decision comes after a video emerged of him appearing to push a player during a match.
Coote is also facing investigations by the Football Association (FA) and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

In-Depth Analysis

The video, which was captured during a match between Arsenal and Manchester United, shows Coote appearing to push Arsenal's Granit Xhaka in the back. The incident occurred in the 55th minute of the match, and it sparked a furious reaction from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta confronted Coote about the incident after the match, and he later called for the referee to be banned. The FA and the PGMOL have both launched investigations into the incident, and it is possible that Coote could face further sanctions. This is not the first time that Coote has been involved in controversy. In 2019, he was criticized for his handling of a match between Manchester City and Liverpool. He also made a number of high-profile mistakes during the 2018 World Cup. The decision to remove Coote from Nations League duty is a significant one. It shows that UEFA is taking a tough stance on refereeing standards, and it will send a message to other referees that they must be held accountable for their actions. It is unclear what the outcome of the investigations into Coote will be, but it is possible that he could face a lengthy ban. This would be a major blow to his career, and it would also raise questions about the quality of refereeing in England.

Conclusion

The removal of David Coote from Nations League duty is a reminder that referees are under increasing scrutiny. The emergence of video evidence has made it easier to hold referees accountable for their mistakes, and it is likely that we will see more referees being punished in the future.