UEFA have opened an investigation into suspended Premier League referee David Coote after he was filmed snorting white powder in a shocking video taken while he was on duty at Euro 2024.

In the eight second Whatsapp film the under-fire VAR specialist is wide-eyed as he uses a rolled up US bank note to snort a four inch line of what appears to be cocaine.

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Coote, 42, was suspended by the PGMOL, governing body for professional referees, this week after a separate video emerged of him, again wide-eyed,  calling former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t”.

The Sun’s exclusive new video was taken on July 6 – a day after the Euro 2024 quarter final clash between France and Portugal, where he acted  as a support VAR official.

UEFA confirmed in a statement today they have now opened an investigation into the ref for a potential violation of its regulations.

It read: “A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote.

“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

UEFA have already taken action against the Prem ref by removing him from their list of officials for the upcoming international fixtures.

In the viral video, the bedside table alongside the white powder are seen scattered with packets of prescription drugs, a credit card, and the Terry Hayes novel The Year of The Locust.

He sent the clip to a pal and it’s believed he filmed himself in his Uefa-funded hotel room he used during the tournament.

The ref sent another photo from Frankfurt on July 1.  It showed his credit cards on a saucer either side of six chopped-up lines of suspicious white powder. He was staying in hotel rooms appointed by tournament organiser UEFA.

The pal, who wishes to remain anonymous, also reveals that the referee made other derogatory remarks about Everton football club and Liverpool player Andy Robertson.

Coote’s previous comments about Klopp are now at the centre of both a PGMOL and FA investigation into his conduct.

As the scandal grew this week, Uefa also took him off their roster for games during this weekend’s international break.

Other videos were sent over the summer from France, where Coote officiated at three football matches at the Paris Olympics.

They included the Israel versus Japan clash on July 30, where he was in charge of VAR.

A PGMOL spokesperson told The Sun: “We aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.

“David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period.

“We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”

Coote was suspended by PGMOL bosses earlier this week after a leaked video showed the ref abusing Liverpool and their ex manager Jurgen Klopp.

The footage was said to have been taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

An investigation is now taking place and the FA are also initiating their own probe, as Coote could be charged with an aggravated breach of FA rules after mentioning Klopp’s nationality in the initial leaked video.

NEW YORK – The UFC 309 pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and you can watch a live stream of the event in the video above.

The press conference takes place at The Theatre at MSG, attached to Madison Square Garden, which hosts Saturday’s fight card (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).

UFC 309 is built around the return of two of the most decorated fighters in UFC history. Heavyweight champion Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) makes history comeback for the first time in 20 months, while former titleholder Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) sees action following a nearly 44-month layoff. And in the co-main event, former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) rematches Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC).

Here’s what you need to know about the UFC 309 press conference.

What time does the UFC 309 press conference start?

The UFC 309 press conference starts at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

Who’s taking part in the UFC 309 press conference?

Six of the the 10 fighters scheduled in main card bouts are slated to participate in the UFC 309 press conference: Jones, Miocic, Oliveira, Chandler, Bo Nickal and Paul Craig.

UFC CEO Dana White will oversee the UFC 309 pre-fight press conference.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Harlequins vice-captain Cadan Murley has signed a new contract with the Premiership club.

The 25-year-old winger has scored 53 tries in 117 appearances since making his Quins debut in 2018.

He was part of the squad that won the Premiership title in 2021, starting in the 40-38 final victory over Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham, and was the league’s top try scorer in 2022-23 with 15.

Murley missed the start of this season with injury but has played the full 80 minutes in each of the club’s last three Premiership games, scoring his first try in their 36-19 win at Exeter before the league’s November break.

“It’s been a special year so far having led the team out [as captain] at the club I have supported since I was a little boy – every time I step out at The Stoop the fans are unbelievable,” Murley told the Harlequins website., external

“Getting back from injury was a massive moment already this year, and to have three 80 minutes under my belt is great.

“The depth we have throughout the team is something we haven’t had in previous years, so I’m excited to see where it can take us this season and beyond.”

JAKE PAUL has been hit with a case of friendly fire after one of his own sparring partners backed Mike Tyson to win their fight.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul faces heavyweight great Tyson on Friday in a controversial clash slammed over the age difference.

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Unbeaten DeAndre Savage was among a number of heavyweights brought into Paul’s camp for sparring ahead of the bout.

But 6-0 Savage has actually thrown his support to Iron Mike – even if he gives him just four minutes to get the job done.

He told SunSport: “Mike Tyson is up in age. I would like to see Mike come and win again because that’s a top two, top three heavyweight ever.

“I would like to see Mike Tyson win but if he don’t knock him out early, Mike’s not gonna win the fight. 

“If he don’t knock him out in the first two rounds, Mike ain’t gonna win the fight.” 

Despite striking up a relationship with Paul and his camp, Savage will be cheering from Tyson’s corner on fight night.

He said: “Mike Tyson, he’s a big dog in the boxing game, he’s the top dog.

“Jake Paul just started but Jake Paul is one of the greatest marketers in the game.

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“Besides Floyd Mayweather – Floyd Mayweather to me is the best marketer in the game. But yeah, Jake Paul is a great marketer, great great promoter.” 

Paul is not the only big name Savage has sparred in camp, sharing rounds with Jarrell Miller and Andy Ruiz Jr.

And he admitted 10-1 Paul – who only debuted professionally in 2020 – is not yet at that top level.

Savage said: “He can’t really compare to other heavyweights that I box because Andy Ruiz; punching power is crazy, Big Baby Miller, punching power is crazy.

“So you know, Jake is a good mover. He’s a good boxer but he’s still learning. Jake does a pretty good job, he got a good right hand but he’s still green.

“When I sparred him the first time, I realised that he was still green.”

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JAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT

Savage put the money earned from camps with the likes of Paul to buying his first house.

And he was quick to praise the prankster-gone-prizefighter for his dedication to the sport.

Savage said: “From the outside looking in and listening to everyone else, the world is not taking Jake serious.

“But Jake does work hard and he’s still a little green, so I understand the route that he’s taking.

“Fighting the UFC fighters and stuff like that and people that don’t really know how to box because he’s still green.

“But, Jake sells out the arena, sells the tickets, he’s doing big things that some people wish that they can do, things that people wish they can do and they can’t do it.

“But yeah, Jake worked real hard, work real hard. He got some great moves in the ring.”

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At the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson weigh-ins, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will step on the scale Thursday in Arlington, Texas.

Paul and Tyson have to weigh in at a minimum of 200 pounds for their eight-round heavyweight main event showdown Friday.

In the co-main event, Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor compete in a lightweight rematch and have to hit 138 pounds. In their first fight in April 2022, Taylor eked out a win via split decision.

The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson ceremonial weigh-ins are expected to begin at 7 p.m. ET.

Check out Paul vs. Tyson weigh-in results below.

Main card (Netflix at 8 p.m. ET)

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano

Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos

Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes

Prelims (MMA Fighting at 5:30 p.m. ET)

Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool

Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica

Shu Shu Carrington Jr. vs. Dana Coolwell