This article considers the legal framework relating to out-of-work conduct by athletes and its potential impact on their ongoing employment relationships.
We live in a world where there is ever-increasing scrutiny of the private lives of those in the public spotlight. Whether it be businesspeople, politicians or sport stars; the rise of social media has meant that individuals’ out-of-work behaviour regularly fills the front pages of newspapers. Former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) Referee David Coote is a recent case in point. Social media attention involving a video of then elite referee Mr Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool FC and their then-Manager Jurgen Klopp – closely followed by a video in which Mr Coote was allegedly seen with a suspicious substance whilst in Germany officiating at Euro 2024 – led to him being fired by the PGMOL. At the end of February 2025, he was also banned from refereeing in UEFA competitions until June 2026[1]. The English Football Association (The FA) issued him with an 8 week ban from "all football and football related activity" and ordered him to attend a face-to-face education programme[2]. Mr Coote has also since been charged with making an indecent image of a child – a charge that he has now pled guilty to[3].
None of the matters that resulted in these sanctions related directly to Mr Coote’s on-field performance in his day-to-day role. Rather, the occasions in question occurred when he was...
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