2 REFEREES GET THE AXE

TWO REFEREES have been axed on the eve of the new season after allegations of misconduct.

Darren Deadman (above), who took charge of FA Cup and Football League games last season, has been taken off the National List.

And David Coote, who officiated mostly in the Championship last season, remains under investigation

amid separate allegations unconnected to Deadman.

Coote is still on the Select Group 2 List, the group of refs just below the Premier League. But he has not been allocated a match this weekend.

It is understood Deadman will not referee again for Professional Game and Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), the organisation in charge of allocating referees.

It is claimed Coote is injured but Mirror Sport understands inquiries by the PGMOL into his conduct have yet to reach a conclusion. A spokesman for the PGMOL last night declined to comment.