David Coote, a former Premier League referee, is scheduled to appear in Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 11, facing a severe allegation of producing an indecent video of a child. This charge has been confirmed by Nottinghamshire Police. The 43-year-old, who hails from Collingham, is currently under conditional bail while awaiting his court appearance.
The charge falls under Category A, the most serious category related to indecent images of children. Such charges typically encompass actions like the downloading, sharing, or storing of abusive photographs and videos. The authorities obtained the incriminating video file back in February 2025, leading to this significant charge.
Coote’s professional career faced a major downfall when he was dismissed from his role at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024. His termination followed the widespread circulation of a video where he reportedly made derogatory remarks about Liverpool FC and their former manager, Jurgen Klopp. Further complicating his career, Coote received an eight-week suspension by the Football Association in August 2025 related to this controversial footage.
Additionally, in November 2024, another video surfaced, allegedly depicting Coote using a white powder. This incident reportedly occurred during Euro 2024, where he served as one of the assistant VARs. This prompted UEFA to appoint an ethics investigator to probe the situation, culminating in a ban for Coote until June 30, 2026.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the fallout from Coote’s actions has already significantly impacted his career in officiating, demonstrating the severe consequences of his alleged misconduct. The sports community will undoubtedly be watching closely as the case develops in the courts.
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