David Coote, the former Premier League referee, has admitted guilt in a Nottingham Crown Court to charges involving the creation of an indecent image of a child. This development follows his dismissal from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited last year.
During a brief court appearance on Tuesday, Coote, 43, faced allegations concerning a category A video, deemed the most severe type of indecent material. The evidence was obtained by law enforcement in February. Dressed in a navy suit with a black tie, Coote confirmed his name and entered his plea during the six-minute hearing overseen by Judge Nirmal Shant KC.
As the case unfolds, Judge Shant granted Coote conditional bail, instructing him to return to court on December 11 for further proceedings. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the charges, ordering a pre-sentence report to be conducted prior to determining the appropriate sentencing. She remarked, “You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter. The decision regarding whether custody will be imposed hinges on the comprehensive information presented to the court, thus necessitating the pre-sentence report.”
Coote’s professional career took a significant hit when he was terminated from his position in December after a video surfaced, revealing inappropriate comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp back in 2020. Earlier this August, he faced an eight-week suspension by the Football Association related to the same footage, further tarnishing his legacy in the sport. As the legal processes continue, the implications of this case resonate not only for Coote but also for the integrity of the officiating community within football.
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