Richard Keys backs suspended Premier League referee David Coote

Richard Keys has come to the defence of suspended Premier League referee David Coote, with the broadcaster insisting he should be able to resume his career.

Coote has been suspended by referees’ body PGMOL, who launched an investigation after a video emerged of him calling manager Jurgen Klopp a ‘German ****’ and Liverpool ‘s***’.

A video then emerged on Wednesday of a man alleged to be Coote snorting a white powder in a hotel room while he was officiating at last summer’s Euros.

The eight-second clip, leaked on Wednesday night and published by The Sun, allegedly shows the official using a rolled-up bank note to inhale the powder.

Keys, writing in his blog, stressed the need for a 'full and transparent investigation into what happened with Coote'.

The presenter drew comparisons to his own experience at Sky Sports, after he and colleague Andy Gray left their roles when a series of sexist conversations were picked up and leaked in January 2011.

Keys suggested Coote would be unable to return to refereeing in the top flight following his comments about Liverpool, but should be able to officiate in the Football League.

'Clearly Coote can’t ref again in the PL, but to destroy his life over this would be wrong. Right now he’s in a very dark place. Tick. I’ve been there,' Keys wrote.

'I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t continue with his job in the EFL. I know I’ve argued that PL refs shouldn’t be demoted to the EFL when they’re in poor form, and I stand by that, but this is different.

'If we genuinely believe in "well being and mental health" we have no choice but to sanction Coote and then let him get on with his life. Anything else might lead to a devastating outcome. Tick. I’ve nearly been there.

'All of the above of course depends on Coote’s problems not getting any worse.'

Keys added that the videos of Coote must now lead to referees being randomly drug tested going forwards.

The presenter has rejected suggestions from some fans that Coote has been biased against Liverpool, stating that some of the incidents he missed in their matches were 'outrageous' but were because he 'isn’t a very good ref'.

He insisted anger from fans was due to the refereeing body PGMOL 'hiding behind a raft of excuses' rather than 'admitting they were wrong'.

When backing Coote to return to refereeing, Keys cited the example of Bobby Madley, who was sacked in 2018 after sending a video in which he mocked a disabled person to a friend.

Madley had briefly relocating to Norway following his dismissal, before he returned to officiating in England in 2020.

He returned to refereeing matches in the EFL, taking charge of fixtures in the Championship, League One and Two.

Madley made his return to Premier League refereeing in 2022 after being rewarded for his performances in the EFL.