England's FA said it is investigating allegations that referee David Coote had a discussion with a friend about issuing a yellow card to a player the day before a match, allegations which the under-fire referee has denied.

On Nov 26, The Sun newspaper said the friend had jokingly told Coote to issue a yellow card to then Leeds United player Ezgjan Alioski during a second-tier match against West Bromwich Albion in 2019 so that he could place a bet with bookmakers.

Coote yellow-carded Alioski in the match the following day, and later sent a message to the fan saying: "I hope you backed as discussed".

Coote said he had always refereed with integrity.

"I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations," he said in a statement.

"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."

A spokesperson for the FA said: "These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a ­matter of urgency."

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