PGMOL has no plans to drug test referees after David Coote scandal

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has no plans to introduce drug testing for referees despite the ongoing investigation into David Coote, the Telegraph reports.

The 42-year-old referee was suspended last week after a video surfaced allegedly showing him snorting a white powder believed to be cocaine. Coote is unlikely to return to officiating in England, and talks of a potential move to Saudi Arabia have been mooted.

UEFA and FIFA do not mandate drug testing for match officials, and the PGMOL aligns with this approach.

The rationale behind the absence of drug tests for referees has historically been that officials, unlike players, do not gain a competitive advantage from using substances.

However, the allegations surrounding Coote have raised fresh questions about whether this policy needs to be revisited.

Former referees’ chief Keith Hackett has publicly called for drug testing to be introduced and has previously suggested it to the PGMOL board.

The issue is particularly significant for the Football Association (FA), which shares ownership of the PGMOL and oversees anti-doping measures in English football.

Currently, players face rigorous testing protocols managed by the United Kingdom (UK) Anti-Doping, including random blood and urine tests at matches, training sessions, and even at home.

The Coote scandal is also under UEFA scrutiny following the release of an eight-second video that reportedly shows him using a rolled-up banknote to snort powder.

It was alleged to have been shot 24 hours after Coote served as assistant VAR during France’s 2024 European Championship quarter-final victory over Portugal on July 5

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour, including derogatory comments about Jurgen Klopp, have made the situation worse.

PGMOL referees will convene this week at Loughborough University for a scheduled training session, where the Coote issue is expected to be a key topic of informal discussion.

While the fallout from the incident continues, it remains to be seen whether the findings will prompt PGMOL to reconsider its stance on drug-testing Premier League officials.