David Coote, a former Premier League referee, faces serious legal and professional troubles after being charged with making an indecent image of a child. The 43-year-old official is scheduled to appear in Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 11, 2025, following an investigation by Nottinghamshire Police.
Background and Charges
Coote was charged on August 12, 2025, in connection with a video file recovered by police in February of the same year. The charge, classified as Category A — the most serious classification for offenses involving child abuse images — pertains to making an indecent image of a child. This category includes activities such as creating, downloading, sharing, or storing abusive material.
Currently on conditional bail, Coote’s legal case follows a series of disciplinary actions linked to his conduct both on and off the field.
Career and Controversies
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Coote’s refereeing career included officiating Premier League matches, with his last match in November 2024 at Anfield (Liverpool vs. Aston Villa).
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He was dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024 after a video surfaced showing him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. The remarks were deemed abusive, leading to widespread criticism and disciplinary action.
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The Football Association (FA) imposed an eight-week suspension on Coote in August 2025 related to these remarks.
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Additionally, Coote was banned by UEFA until June 30, 2026, after images emerged of him inhaling a white powder through a banknote during Euro 2024, where he served as an assistant Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Personal Revelations and Additional Investigations
In January 2025, Coote publicly came out as gay and opened up about the pressures of concealing his sexuality, attributing some of his behavior—including controversial comments and substance misuse—to these personal struggles. He admitted to cocaine use as a coping mechanism during his career.
Coote is also under investigation by the FA for an alleged betting violation concerning a yellow card he issued in 2019, which he has strongly denied.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | David Coote |
| Age | 43 |
| Residence | Collingham, Nottinghamshire |
| Legal Charge | Making indecent image of a child (Category A) |
| Date Charged | August 12, 2025 |
| Court Appearance | September 11, 2025 at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court |
| Bail Status | Conditional bail |
| Last Professional Role | Premier League referee |
| Last Match Date | November 2024 (Liverpool vs. Aston Villa) |
| PGMOL Dismissal | December 2024 |
| FA Suspension | 8 weeks (August 2025) |
| UEFA Ban | Until June 30, 2026 |
| Controversies | Derogatory remarks about Klopp; drug use incident at Euro 2024; FA betting investigation |
| Personal Disclosure | Publicly came out as gay (January 2025) |
Implications and Community Reaction
The charges against David Coote have sent shockwaves through the football community, given the gravity of the allegations and his previous prominence as an elite referee. The case highlights issues around personal conduct and accountability among sports officials. Football governing bodies and law enforcement agencies are involved closely as the legal process progresses.
The outcome of Coote’s court appearance, and any subsequent trial, will likely have wide-reaching implications for football officiating standards and safeguarding policies.