ＦＡ、審判のデビッド・クート氏を賭博疑惑で調査

【ロンドンＡＦＰ＝時事】サッカーイングランド・プレミアリーグで審判を務めるデビッド・クート氏（４２）が、ある試合の前にファンとイエローカードを出すことについて話し合ったのではないかという疑惑について、同国協会（ＦＡ）が調査していることが分かった。（写真はイングランドサッカー協会の調査対象となったデビッド・クート氏）
　英紙サンは２７日、２０１９年１０月に行われたリーズ・ユナイテッド対ウェスト・ブロムウィッチ・アルビオン（ＷＢＡ）戦の前日に、当時リーズに所属していたエズジャン・アリオスキにイエローカードを出す可能性について、クート氏がリーズのファンと話し合ったと報じた。
　同紙は、アリオスキに警告を出した後、クート氏が「話し合った通りに賭けたことを願っている」と、メッセージを送ったと伝えている。
　現在、別の疑惑で停職中のクート氏は「これらの虚偽かつ名誉を損（きそん）するような疑惑を強く否定する」との声明を発表。ＦＡの広報担当者は、「非常に深刻な疑惑であり、緊急に調査を行っている」と述べた。
　クート氏は、リバプールや同クラブを率いていたユルゲン・クロップ前監督に対する侮辱的なコメントを発しているとみられる映像が公開されたことを受け、ＦＡと英サッカーのプロ審判員協会（ＰＧＭＯＬ）からすでに調査を受けている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/11/28-18:58）

The Football Association is investigating allegations Premier League referee David Coote discussed giving a yellow card with a fan before a match in England's second-tier Championship.
The Sun newspaper reported on Wednesday that 42-year-old Coote, who strongly denies any wrongdoing, discussed the prospect of booking then Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski with a supporter of the club the day before a game between Leeds and West Brom in October 2019.
The newspaper alleges after Coote booked the player during the match, he messaged the individual back to say: I hope you backed as discussed.
Coote, currently suspended following separate allegations about his conduct, said in a statement: I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations.
Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field.
I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.
An FA spokesman said: These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency.
Coote was already under investigation by refereeing body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and the FA after footage emerged that appeared to show him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
European football's governing body UEFA has also appointed an ethics inspector to investigate a video, published by The Sun, purported to show Coote snorting white powder during this year's Euros in Germany.
Coote was working at the tournament as a match official.
On the latest allegation, a PGMOL spokesman said: The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations.
We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis.
PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that code be proven.
David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by the FA. We will be making no further comment at this stage.
Leeds said in a statement they were aware of the allegations.
We respect and have full confidence in the FA, EFL (English Football League) and PGMOL regulations and processes, the club said. We will be making no further comment at this time.