Keith Hackett calls for drug testing after David Coote-Liverpool latest
Keith Hackett has called for the PGMOL to bring in mandatory drug testing for the Premier League referees in the wake of the David Coote controversy.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA and Premier League referee revealed he originally put forward the idea “in around 2000,” but it was denied because it might cause bad publicity.
However, people’s faith and confidence in Premier League officials have never been lower than right now, amid VAR issues and the situation surrounding Coote.
The 42-year-old Premier League referee is currently suspending pending an investigation after controversial videos of him in his private life were leaked online.
Coote has been caught publicly slating Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s team performance, while a second video saw him snorting a white substance while away at Euro 2024, which is why Hackett believes it’s time to reconsider his previously pitched idea.
Keith Hackett believes drug testing would be beneficial after the David Coote controversy
Hackett told Football Insider, “What’s interesting is that in around 2000 when I became boss of the PGMOL, I put forward to the board two things.
“I wanted referees to be banned from betting on games worldwide, and I also felt that because they’re professional athletes, they should be subject to the same regimes as a player.
“I put forward that we should introduce mandatory drug testing through the WADA process.
“You inform them where you are so that at any time they can do a random drug test.
“At the times, on the grounds it might cause bad publicity, they accepted the gambling part – that was put immediately in place – but they didn’t accept my recommendation of drug testing.
“But if I’m [the] boss of the PGMOL, you have to be seen to act on these things.
“So for me, yes I’d bring these new rules in and I’d bring the referees in to tell them I’m introducing it.
“I would inform their union and then I’d immediately start that process of drug testing every referee.
“Then I’d publicly say all my referees have been tested and are clear.”
In other news, Jurgen Klopp breaks silence after David Coote’s X-rated Liverpool video leaked.
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