David Coote, once a familiar face on Premier League pitches, now finds himself at the center of a scandal that has rocked English football and the refereeing community. On October 14, 2025, the 43-year-old former referee pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to making an indecent image of a child, specifically a Category A video—the most severe classification under UK law. The case, which has unfolded over the past year, has exposed not only the depths of Coote's fall from grace but also the stringent scrutiny that comes with holding a position of public trust in sport.
According to BBC News, the charge against Coote relates to a video discovered by police in February 2025 on one of his electronic devices. The court heard that Coote had extracted the video from a hard drive to a laptop on January 2, 2020, while he was still an active referee in the Premier League. The video, described as Category A, is the most serious kind and includes the most extreme forms of child sexual abuse, such as penetrative acts and sadistic abuse. Under UK law, offences of this gravity can carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
During the brief six-minute hearing, Coote, dressed in a navy suit and black tie, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his guilty plea. Judge Nirmal Shant KC, presiding over the proceedings, did not mince words: "You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter. Whether this means custody or not will be decided when all the information is before the court, which is why I have ordered a pre-sentence report." She also cautioned Coote, "You must not go away with the impression that this will not lead to a custodial sentence." The judge granted Coote conditional bail until his next court appearance, scheduled for December 11, 2025.
The details of the charge were further clarified by The Athletic, which reported that the indecent image involved a 15-year-old boy and was last accessed in early January 2020. The investigation began after an independent company examined two of Coote's mobile phones and discovered "two conversations of concern." These findings prompted Nottinghamshire Police to launch a probe, which ultimately led to the discovery of the video on a Dell laptop.
As part of his bail conditions, Coote has been forbidden from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18 or staying at any address where a minor is present. He will also be added to the sex offenders' register for a period to be determined at sentencing. The charge of "making" an indecent image, as explained by BBC News, encompasses downloading, saving, or sharing abusive photos or videos, not just producing them.
Coote's legal troubles are only the latest chapter in a tumultuous period for the former referee. In December 2024, he was sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL)—the organization responsible for overseeing referees in English professional football—after a video surfaced showing Coote making offensive and discriminatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. In the leaked footage, Coote referred to Klopp as a "German c***" and called him "arrogant," sparking widespread condemnation across the footballing world.
The fallout from the video was swift and severe. Within days, Coote was suspended by PGMOL, and by August 2025, the Football Association had imposed an eight-week suspension for his conduct. UEFA, the governing body for European football, also took action, banning Coote from officiating international fixtures for 16 months starting in February 2025. According to The Sun, this period of controversy also saw the emergence of a second video purportedly showing Coote snorting a white powder, allegedly filmed during Euro 2024, where he had served as an assistant Video Assistant Referee.
Coote's career prior to these events had been notable. He officiated his first Premier League match in April 2018 and went on to referee 112 matches in England's top flight, as well as numerous fixtures in the English Football League and domestic cup competitions. His rise through the ranks was seen by many as a testament to his skill and composure under pressure—qualities now overshadowed by his criminal conviction and personal controversies.
In January 2025, Coote publicly came out as gay in an interview with The Sun. He spoke candidly about his lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality, stating that the pressures of concealing this aspect of his identity had contributed to his outburst against Klopp and even his apparent substance abuse. "A lifelong struggle to hide my sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp," Coote said, attempting to provide context for his past behavior. While some in the football community expressed sympathy for his personal struggles, the severity of his criminal offence has left little room for redemption in the eyes of the public.
The legal proceedings have highlighted not only the gravity of Coote's actions but also the broader responsibilities of those in positions of authority within sport. Category A offences, as noted by News18, are regarded as among the most severe in UK law, with the potential for lengthy prison sentences and lifelong repercussions. The scandal has also reignited debates within football about the vetting and monitoring of officials, as well as the need for ongoing support and accountability in high-pressure roles.
For many, the case serves as a sobering reminder that even those entrusted with upholding the rules of the game are not immune to personal failings or criminal conduct. The Football Association, PGMOL, and UEFA have all moved decisively to distance themselves from Coote, emphasizing their commitment to integrity and safeguarding in the sport. Yet, the damage to public trust—and to the reputation of professional refereeing—may take years to repair.
As Coote awaits sentencing on December 11, 2025, the football world watches closely, grappling with the fallout from a scandal that has shaken its foundations. The outcome of his case will not only determine his personal fate but may also set a precedent for how similar offences are handled in the future, both within football and more broadly across public life.
In a profession built on authority, trust, and impartiality, David Coote's story stands as a stark warning of how quickly those values can be lost—and how difficult they are to regain once broken.
