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.