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Premier League referee David Coote investigated by FA over alleged betting breach

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Premier League referee David Coote investigated by FA over alleged betting breach

Suspended Premier League referee David Coote is being investigated by the Football Association (FA) following allegations he discussed issuing a yellow card with a friend before a match.

The allegations were first reported in UK newspaper The Sun on Tuesday night and relate to a booking received by Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski from Coote during their Championship game against West Bromwich Albion in October 2019.

“I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations,” Coote said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

“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.”

The Sun reported that Coote accepted a discussion with a friend had taken place, but that nothing inappropriate happened, nor is it suggested he gained financially from the booking. Alioski was booked for a late, sliding challenge and the decision appears routine.

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An FA spokesperson described the allegations as “very serious” and that they are being investigated “as a matter of urgency”.

The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) — the organisation that manages English football’s leading officials — released a statement on Tuesday night saying “the facts need to be established” and that they “adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach” of their integrity code, with the “PGMOL board committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that Code be proven”.

Leeds said on Wednesday they were aware of the allegations and “have full confidence in the FA, EFL and PGMOL regulations and processes”.

Coote was initially suspended by the PGMOL on November 11 after a video was posted online of him making offensive remarks about Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager. Three days later, The Sun published a video which showed someone they alleged was Coote sniffing white powder through a rolled-up American bank note.

The Sun reported that the video was from July 6, one day after the Euro 2024 quarter-final between France and Portugal in Hamburg where Coote was the assistant VAR.

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The Athletic has been unable to verify the video nor confirm Coote’s identity, but the PGMOL responded when asked to provide comment on it, saying they are “aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously”.

UEFA also suspended Coote from refereeing in its competitions on November 11, two days before The Sun released its video, and are investigating the 42-year-old for a “potential violation” of its regulations.

Coote is also subject to a separate FA investigation for a potential breach of its rules in relation to his comments about Klopp.

In the statement released on Tuesday night, the PGMOL added: ”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.”

(Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

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Danica Patrick reflects on 'emotionally abusive' relationship with Aaron Rodgers: 'wore me down to nothing'

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Danica Patrick reflects on 'emotionally abusive' relationship with Aaron Rodgers: 'wore me down to nothing'

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Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick shared the agony of her relationship and breakup with NFL star Aaron Rodgers, during an appearance on the Sage Steele Show. 

“The breakup with Aaron in 2020, because it was sudden,” Patrick said when asked what was the most painful experience. 

“It felt like it was my life. So when you live with somebody, it’s your whole life… And because the nature of the relationship was emotionally abusive, so that wore me down to nothing.” 

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Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers made their red carpet debut at the 2018 ESPY Awards in July. (AP)

Patrick claims that Rogers “leaves a trail of blood.”

“Someone that you know, people could never imagine that I would lack any confidence, or belief in the simple things about who I am. Everything was torn to bits. He leaves a trail of blood. I don’t think I’m saying too much earth-shattering stuff after we — there’s been enough out there,” Patrick said. 

“But it gave me the greatest gift, which is myself. It gave me the greatest gift of how much I needed to show up for myself and take care of myself.”

Rodgers and Patrick went public with their relationship in January 2018 after first meeting at the ESPY Awards in 2012. 

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FORMER NASCAR DRIVER DANICA PATRICK ANNOUNCES PIVOT TO TENNIS

Danica Patrick looks on

Danica Patrick on the starting grid before the Montreal Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.  (David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports)

At the time, a rep for the “Pretty Intense” podcast host and entrepreneur confirmed to Fox News that the pair were an item. 

Meanwhile, Patrick told The Associated Press that she and Rodgers first crossed paths in 2012 at The ESPY Awards.

“I told him a long time ago I’d always root for him as a player,” she recalled to the outlet. “Now I am probably going to cheer for the whole team. Take out the word ‘probably.’ Now I’m going to cheer for the whole team.”

In November 2019, the pair appeared to be going strong, with Patrick even joking on “The Jenny McCarthy Show” about a proposal.

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When asked when she’d get married, Patrick jokingly responded, “Um, [tomorrow] — wait, no, what?”

Back in August 2017, Rodgers opened up to ESPN, explaining it’s not always easy dating when all eyes are on you.

Aaron Rodgers recently gushed over his girlfriend Danica Patrick.

Aaron Rodgers recently gushed over his girlfriend Danica Patrick. (Getty Images)

“When you are living out a relationship in the public eye, it’s definitely… it’s difficult,” he said. “It has some extra constraints because you have other opinions about your relationship, how it affects your work and, you know, just some inappropriate connections… There’s some horrible media outlets that… you say something or do something, where there’s a story, and they just go with it and run with it.”

The couple then confirmed their breakup in July 2020. 

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Patrick later opened up on the breakup during an appearance on National Geographic’s “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” and told the survivalist that she learned a ton about herself during the public breakup.

“I think we learn the most about ourselves through relationships, but there’s nothing like heartbreak to really throw you in the deep end of that,” Patrick said, according to Yahoo! Entertainment. “But I’ve learned a lot and as broken open as I was on the sad end, I have felt so much joy in so many more instances and so many more unlikely places than I ever have, so it’s like my heart got broken open to both ends of the spectrum.”

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Lakers star LeBron James chosen to All-NBA second team

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Lakers star LeBron James chosen to All-NBA second team

Twenty-two seasons ago, LeBron James entered the NBA with almost unbelievable expectations, the fate of a franchise in Cleveland and a league hungry for a new star on his back.

Twenty-two years later, the Lakers’ star exceeded even the most outlandish predictions, winning championships in three different cities, scoring more points than anyone in league history and authoring the kind of sustained greatness that’s unmatched across sport.

And if you needed proof, more was offered Friday.

A panel of media voters selected James to the league’s All-NBA second team — the 21st year he’s been voted all-league on one of the three teams. His 21 All-NBA appearances is six more than Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Kobe Bryant andf Tim Duncan, who are tied with the second at 15.

Despite turning 40 in late December, James played 70 games and averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three. His 78.2% shooting from the free-throw line was a career best.

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Clippers guard James Harden made All-NBA third team, his eighth All-NBA selection and first since 2020.

League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell made first team All-NBA.

Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards and Evan Mobley joined James on the second team while Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Williams were with Harden on the third team.

James, who suffered a sprained medial collageral ligament in the Lakers’ final game of the first round, has a $52-million player option for next season. If he declines the option, he’d be an unrestricted free agent.

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Caitlin Clark gets chippy with opponent, delivers a damning message: 'Not scared'

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Caitlin Clark gets chippy with opponent, delivers a damning message: 'Not scared'

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Tensions were high in the early going between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream Thursday night.

The two teams were 48 hours removed from a battle that came down to the final seconds, which the Dream won, 91-90. So, maybe there was some carryover.

With less than 30 seconds to go in the first quarter, Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard exchanged some words and had to be separated. Howard was playing full-court defense on Clark, who was dribbling up the court. 

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Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) argues with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half at State Farm Arena. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

Refs whistled the play, and the two bumped into one another. Both appeared to extend an arm, and Clark began to walk away from the situation before Howard took a step forward. But one of Howard’s teammates quickly stepped in and led Howard away.

“I’m not scared of you,” Clark appeared to say, and she was backed by her teammates.

Despite the tense moment Thursday, they shared a funny one earlier this month in the preseason, when Howard jokingly picked at Clark’s ear after their exhibition, prompting a laugh from Clark.

Caitlin Clark shrugging

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark talks to a referee during a game against the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

‘AROUND THE HORN’ PANELIST QUESTIONS IF ESPN CANCELED SHOW DUE TO POTENTIAL ‘WOKE’ LABEL

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It was a slow night overall for Clark, who had just six points heading into the fourth quarter. She had 27 points two nights earlier against Atlanta. 

Indiana trailed, 75-71, with just over two minutes to go, but it ended the game on a 10-1 run. Clark added five points in the fourth quarter to finish with 11.

Clark’s teammate, Natasha Howard, led the way with 26 points, while Rhyne Howard dropped 24.

The scuffle between Clark and Howard came five days after Clark and Angel Reese had to be separated. Clark was called for a flagrant foul on Reese, who then had words for Clark. 

The incident prompted an investigation into alleged hateful comments toward Reese by fans at the game. Reese reposted a TikTok that said she is “unsafe” playing in Indiana.

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Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard on court

Caitlin Clark, right, of the Indiana Fever yells at Rhyne Howard (10) of the Atlanta Dream after an altercation during the first quarter at State Farm Arena May 22, 2025, in Atlanta.  (Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The Fever are back in action Saturday against the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. ET.

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