David Coote Charged with Making Indecent Image of Child
Nottinghamshire Police in the UK have charged sacked Premier League referee David Coote with making an indecent image of a child, the police service said on Wednesday.
Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent image of a child, according to Nottinghamshire Police. The 43-year-old from Collingham was charged in August and is set to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 12.
Background and Additional Charges
Coote's troubles began when a video surfaced showing him making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He was subsequently sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024 and given an eight-week suspension by the Football Association. Additionally, UEFA banned him until June 30, 2026, after a video emerged showing him snorting a white powder during Euro 2024.
Coote is currently on conditional bail and will appear in court for a first hearing regarding the charge. The charge relates to a Category A video file recovered by officers in February, which is considered the most serious category of indecent images.
David Coote's Controversial Past
David Coote, a former Premier League referee, was sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024. This decision followed the emergence of a video showing Coote making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and its former manager, Jurgen Klopp. The PGMOL investigation found Coote's actions to be in serious breach of his employment contract, rendering his position untenable.
UEFA Ban and Allegations
In addition to his termination, Coote faced further consequences from UEFA. A video allegedly showing Coote snorting a white powder during Euro 2024 led to a ban until June 30, 2026. UEFA launched an investigation into the matter, and Coote's actions were deemed unacceptable. Coote has consistently denied allegations of misconduct, including claims he discussed giving a yellow card to a Leeds player before a match.
BREAKING: Ex-Premier League referee David Coote charged with making indecent video of a childhttps://t.co/KM398OiSPP pic.twitter.com/xqXiOOH5ME
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) September 10, 2025
Current Status
Coote has been conditionally bailed in relation to a charge connected to a Category A video file recovered by the police. The specifics of the charge and the file's content are distinct from the incidents that led to his dismissal and UEFA ban. Coote's future in refereeing appears uncertain, given the severity of the sanctions against him.
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