David Coote, once a prominent Premier League referee, has recently become the subject of intense media coverage following allegations of making an indecent image of a child. The case has sent shockwaves through English football and beyond, highlighting issues of conduct among high-profile sports officials.
Background and Career Highlights
David Harry Coote was born in Nottingham in 1982 and developed his refereeing career from the age of sixteen. David Coote steadily rose through the ranks of English football, officiating in various regional and national leagues before making his Premier League debut in 2018. His professionalism was notable, being chosen for key fixtures such as the Carabao Cup final in 2023 between Manchester United and Newcastle United. Registered with the Nottinghamshire Football Association, David Coote built a reputation for reliability, though his career would soon be marred by controversy.
Initial Allegations and Legal Charges
On August 12, 2025, David Coote was formally charged by Nottinghamshire Police after a Category A child abuse video, the most serious classification, was discovered in February 2025. The charge, brought to public attention in September, accused David Coote of making, downloading, saving, or sharing this material offences which under UK law carries severe penalties, including potential imprisonment for up to ten years. The former referee appeared before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court and entered a plea of not guilty, confirming his identity during a brief 18-minute hearing before District Judge Gillian Young, who granted him conditional bail and set a Crown Court date for October 9.
Public Reaction and UEFA Suspension
Public reaction was swift and divisive. David Coote had already been embroiled in earlier controversy, having been dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024 after derogatory remarks towards Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp surfaced online. UEFA, the governing body for European football, imposed a further ban on Coote until June 2026 following the release of yet another video showing him engaging in questionable behaviour.
Crown Court Plea and Admission
Despite his initial not guilty plea, events developed rapidly. On October 13, 2025, David Coote appeared before Nottingham Crown Court, where he admitted creating the indecent image of a child. The six-minute hearing revealed that David Coote had transferred the video from his hard drive to a laptop in January 2020, a significant detail that connected his conduct to digital tracing methods employed by law enforcement. The presiding judge, Nirmal Shant KC, stated that sentencing would follow a full review, with a further report requested and the hearing adjourned to December 11, 2025.
The Offence and Its Legal Consequences
Under UK law, producing or making an indecent image of a child includes activities such as downloading, saving, or sharing material depicting abuse. Category A, the highest severity, involves images or videos showing penetrative sexual activity, sadism, or bestiality, carrying the strongest legal penalties. Coote’s guilty plea to a Category A offence places him among the most serious offenders under this classification. As a condition of bail, David Coote is prevented from being alone with children under 18 or residing in homes where minors are present.
Career Fallout and Impact on Football
Coote’s career was already troubled before the child image case reached court. After the 2024 videos of his comments about Jurgen Klopp circulated, he was suspended by PGMOL and subsequently dismissed from Premier League officiating. The Football Association issued an eight-week suspension in August 2025 as a result of separate misconduct. Media pieces have since dissected his rapid rise and dramatic fall, framing his career as a cautionary tale about the pressures and expectations placed on public figures in football.
Timeline of Events
- February 2025: Nottinghamshire Police recovers a Category A child abuse video.
- August 12, 2025: David Coote was formally charged with making an indecent image.
- September 11, 2025: First court appearance, enters not guilty plea.
- October 13, 2025: David Coote pleads guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.
- December 11, 2025: Sentencing scheduled.
Broader Discussions and Societal Implications
The case has furthered conversations around safeguarding measures in professional sports and the need for regulatory oversight of officials. Football authorities now face new questions about the recruitment, vetting, and monitoring of referees to prevent similar cases and protect the integrity of the sport.
