UEFA has opened an investigation into suspended Premier League referee David Coote after a video published by The Sun allegedly showed him throwing a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024.

Coote, 42, was initially fired on Monday by PGMOL, the refereeing organization for English football, after an initial video was posted on X in which the referee made disparaging comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.

UEFA followed suit later on Monday, dropping Coote from this week’s UEFA Nations League matches, where he was due to act as VAR.

The Sun claims the new video published on Wednesday, which has not been verified by ESPN, was filmed by Coote and shared with a friend on WhatsApp. The recording is said to have been made at a UEFA-designated hotel on July 6, the day after his last appointment at Euro 2024 as support VAR for the quarter-final between Portugal and France.

A statement from UEFA confirmed on Thursday that an investigation into a possible breach of regulations at the hotel had begun.

It said: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to assess a possible breach of the UEFA Disciplinary Rules by the referee, Mr David Coote. Further information on this matter will be made available in due course.”

PGMOL confirmed on Wednesday that it was aware of the second published video

A spokesperson for PGMOL said: “We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation. David’s well-being remains of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs. needs during this period. We cannot comment further at this stage.”