Former Premier League referee David Coote will have to wait until the new year to learn his fate after his sentencing was adjourned from today until 8 January.
The 43-year-old, who resides in Collingham near Newark, Nottinghamshire, admitted in October to making an indecent image of a child.
The charge relates to a category A video — the most serious classification — which was discovered by police on his device.
Coote's legal representative was unable to attend Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday owing to medical reasons, prompting the postponement of proceedings that had been scheduled for this morning.
David Coote will have to wait until the new year to learn his fate after his sentencing was adjourned
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Judge Nirmal Shant KC declined to conduct the sentencing hearing with Coote's barrister appearing remotely.
The Honorary Recorder of Nottingham made clear she was "simply not prepared" to proceed with such a significant matter via video-link.
Coote himself was absent from the brief court appearance, which lasted merely three minutes before the case was rescheduled.
The former official had initially denied the charge when he appeared before Nottingham Magistrates' Court in September.
However, at a subsequent hearing at the Crown Court on 14 October, he changed his plea to guilty.
David Coote was sacked by the PGMOL last year
| REUTERSHe was first charged on 12 August, with the alleged offence dating back to 2 January 2020.
The indecent material came to light following an investigation by the Football Association into Coote's conduct.
When officers arrested the former referee at his home, they seized and analysed multiple devices, subsequently uncovering the video file in question.
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed their inquiry related to material recovered during a search conducted in February 2025.
The legal term "making" an indecent image encompasses activities such as downloading, sharing or saving abusive photographs or videos.
At his October hearing, Coote was cautioned that imprisonment remained a possibility given the severity of the offence.
"You mustn't go away with the impression this means a non-custodial sentence — it doesn't," Judge Shant warned him.
David Coote could still face a prison sentence, a judge warned him
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Coote was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited in December 2024 after footage emerged appearing to show him making disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
The video, reportedly filmed in 2020, led to an eight-week suspension from the Football Association in August this year.
Additionally, UEFA has banned the former official over separate footage allegedly showing him inhaling white powder whilst on duty during Euro 2024.
David Coote also made disparaging comments about Jurgen Klopp
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Coote remains on conditional bail ahead of his January sentencing, with strict terms prohibiting any unsupervised contact with individuals under 18.
He is also forbidden from residing at any property where a minor lives.