Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent video of a child and is due in court later this week.
Coote, 43, from the Newark area, is scheduled to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 11, for a first hearing.
Prosecutors allege that on January 2, 2020, he created an indecent video of a child categorised as Category A — the most serious classification under UK law.
The charge comes less than a year after Coote was dismissed by the Premier League in December 2024.
David Coote left his role as a Premier League referee after being filmed insulting former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp | PAHe had spent several years officiating in England’s top flight, including high-profile fixtures, before his sacking.
In June this year, the Football Association also sanctioned him with an eight-week suspension for breaching its rules on conduct after comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp appeared on social media.
The FA deemed his behaviour an “aggravated breach” of Rule E3.2 due to a reference to Klopp’s nationality in a video.
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The clip, filmed in 2020 but posted online in November 2024, was investigated by the FA, who concluded that Coote’s remarks breached its rules on conduct.
The former referee accepted the charge, admitting the comments were “crass and inappropriate,” and expressed what he described as “deep remorse.”
As a result, Coote received an eight-week suspension from football activity. UEFA separately imposed its own punishment, banning him from officiating in European competitions until 30 June 2026.
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David Coote previously apologised after the video about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
| PAPGMOL said that Coote's position had become 'untenable' following the release of the video.
In addition, a separate video surfaced showing Coote sniffing a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024.
Coote, apologising for his actions in January, told The Sun: "This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life.
"I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me.
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David Coote will appear in court later this week
| PA"I am truly sorry for any offence caused by my actions and for the negative spotlight it put on the game that I love.
"I hope people will understand that they were private moments taken during very low times in my life. They do not reflect who I am today or what I think."