An image purporting to show Carabao Cup final referee David Coote as a Manchester United fan is fake, Chronicle Live understands. The Premier League official will take charge of his first Wembley final this month after his appointment sparked concern among the Newcastle United fan base.
The fake image, shared widely on social media in recent days, shows Coote's alleged Facebook page with a generic photo of Old Trafford as his cover photo. A host of Newcastle fans took to Twitter to bemoan the Professional Game Match Officials Limited's (PGMOL) decision to appoint Coote as referee once the image had gone viral.
Coote has already been the man in the middle for two Manchester United games this season alone, overseeing wins over Everton and Aston Villa. Rules state referees in England cannot take charge of a game involving a team they support.
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Michael Oliver, who has refereed in the top flight for more than a decade, is a Newcastle supporter and has never taken charge of a game involving the Magpies. Ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg also never took charge of a game involving his beloved Newcastle.
Coote was born in Nottinghamshire and qualified with his local Football Association, working as a referee development officer with the Notts FA between 2004 and 2012. The PGMOL have confirmed to Chronicle Live he is a Notts County fan.
Coote will be assisted by Nick Hopton and Tim Wood at Wembley this month, while Simon Hooper has been selected as the fourth official. Peter Bankes is in charge of VAR, with Eddie Smart serving as his assistant.
Coote last refereed a Newcastle game when the north east outfit took on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2022. The official faced the wrath of Newcastle supporters in west London after failing to give two decisions to the away side.
In the first half, Kai Havertz escaped with a yellow card for an elbow on Dan Burn, before Newcastle were denied a penalty after the break when Jacob Murphy was tripped inside the box by Trevoh Chalobah.
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