• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

The Premier League Is Beset With Ref Scandals Too

Two referee scandals related to a controversial red card and disgraced official have rocked the Premier League in recent days.

Stuart Martin-USA TODAY NETWORK

As American football overflows with officiating complaints, English football is buckling under ref scandals of its own.

Two separate controversies within the Premier League have emerged or reignited in the past few days. On Saturday, a controversial red card led to death threats for one official, and on Monday, an interview was released where a disgraced referee said his fear of coming out as gay led to the actions that got him fired.

Michael Oliver’s red card for Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly was finally overturned by the Football Association on Tuesday after an uproar in England. Lewis-Skelly tripped Wolverhampton’s Matt Doherty, but deep in his own end—a foul that is nearly always a yellow card or merely a foul. The straight red would have led to a three-game suspension, but the teenager will now be available as Arsenal’s long-shot title race continues.

The initial decision was supported by Video Assistant Referee (VAR), but few others. One pundit and former player, Pat Nevin, said the call set standards at “a bar so low even a limbo-dancing snake couldn’t get under it.” 

Other former referees, pundits, and former players tore into Oliver’s decision, and used it to illuminate broader issues with Premier League officiating. “When will the Premier League bring the best refs into the so-called best league in the world?” former Arsenal player Ian Wright said on Instagram. “At the moment, with this level of refereeing, we’re nowhere near it.”

Following the red card, Oliver received threats prompting “a number of” police investigations, the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited said Sunday. “We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour,” PGMOL said in a statement. “Sadly, this is not the first time a match official has been forced to deal with threats in recent times.”

The official EPL account issued a statement of its own: “The Premier League strongly condemns the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver. No official should be subject to any form of abuse. We will continue to support Michael, PGMOL and all investigations.”

While Oliver’s penchant for penalizing Arsenal players remains mostly in the realm of furious Gunners supporters—for now—there is another Premier League officiating scandal that has more legs.

David Coote was suspended in November for videos of him criticizing Liverpool and former manager Jürgen Klopp, calling the manager a “German c***.” The situation was worsened by another alleged video of him snorting white powder the day after working a Euros match. He was fired by PGMOL in December following an investigation.

In an interview with The Sun published Monday, Coote came out as gay, and discussed his fear of opening up about his sexuality in the “macho world” of football.

“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that,” Coote said. “I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well, a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.”

Coote said he was “not sober” in the videos about Klopp. He added that reffing more than 90 games in the 2023–2024 season and family struggles also led him to use drugs.

“I don’t recognize myself in the cocaine video. I can’t resonate with how I felt then, but that was me. I was struggling with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I found myself in that position, escaping.”

The FA also launched an investigation in November into a yellow card Coote gave in 2019 after allegations he discussed yellow carding that player with a fan online ahead of the match, then told the fan afterward, “I hope you backed as discussed.” Coote denies the allegations, and he told The Sun there had been “no agreement” made and he “received nothing for it.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Isaiah Wright, a running back featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U, is playing football for the Alcoa Alloys, a semipro team with the Interactive American Football League on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

‘Last Chance U’ Participants File $30M Lawsuit Against Netflix, Others

Producers of “Last Chance U” allegedly took “unfair advantage” of players.
Nov 26, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Alex Rodriguez watches as the Minnesota Timberwolves lose to the Houston Rockets in overtime at Target Center.

Glen Taylor Has ‘Limited’ Legal Options to Keep Timberwolves

One litigator says it’s usually “very hard to vacate an arbitration award.”
Mark Williams

Failed Deadline Deal Leaves Hornets, Lakers in Unprecedented Territory

The trade would have sent center Mark Williams to Los Angeles.
Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar’s Attack on Drake Peaks With Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Ever

A record 133.5 million viewers tuned in for Lamar’s performance.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.

MLB, Nike Unveil New Uniforms, and Yes, Sheer Pants Are Gone

The league and Nike are rolling out expected corrections as camps open.
February 10, 2025

YouTube Golf Goes Pro: Peoples League Joins Creator Competition Boom

A new league is launching for golf content creators.
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver (right) presents Team LeBron guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors (30) with the The Kobe Bryant Trophy for being the most valuable player after the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
February 11, 2025

Steph Curry Advised Adam Silver on All-Star Game Format Change

Viewership for the All-Star Game has declined in recent years.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; The 2024 NFL London Games, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears logo on the facade at an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
February 10, 2025

Do NFL Players Want an International Super Bowl?

Players told Front Office Sports where it should be held.
NFL referees have had a tough time this season and work cut out at Super Bowl.
February 10, 2025

How Much Do NFL Refs Make?

Here’s a breakdown of what NFL refs make at football’s highest level.
Mar 27, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; MLB umpire Jose Navas points to the Chicago White Sox dugout in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park.
February 10, 2025

How Much Do MLB Umpires Make?

MLB umpires are among the highest-compensated officials in major North American leagues. 
February 9, 2025

New Orleans Native Lil Wayne Skipping Super Bowl After Kendrick Lamar Scuffle

His disappointment turned into an ad campaign, but he still isn’t attending.