Ex-Premier League referee David Coote charged with making indecent video of child

Ex-Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent image of a child.

The 43-year-old is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday for a hearing relating to the charge.

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A police statement read: “A suspect is due to appear in court after being charged with making an indecent image of a child.

“David Coote, aged 43, has been charged with the offence after an investigation by Nottinghamshire Police. The charge relates to a video file recovered by officers in February of this year.

“Coote, of Collingham, was charged on 12 August and is currently on conditional police bail. He is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court tomorrow 11 September.”

According to Nottinghamshire Live, Coote is accused of making Category A images of child abuse on January 2, 2020.

Category A images are the most serious, depicting the most extreme and harmful material involving sexual activity or abuse of a child.

This can include but is not restricted to penetrative sexual activity, acts of sexual assault or violence, and torture or sexual sadism.

The charge can also relate to activities such as downloading, sharing or saving abuse photos or videos.

The distribution, taking or making of such images carries a maximum custodial sentence of ten years.

The shocking news comes after Coote was sacked by the PGMOL in 2024 and handed a UEFA ban following damaging videos and messages posted online.

He was then suspended and charged by the FA in June earlier this year.

Why was David Coote sacked and charged?

In November 2024, a leaked clip showed the former referee calling ex-Liverpool manager Klopp a ‘German c***’ and branding him arrogant.

After months of investigation, the FA released the following statement: “David Coote has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to comments that he made about Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded around July 2020 which appeared on social media in November 2024.

“It’s alleged that the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words contrary to FA Rule E3.1.

“It’s further alleged that this constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether expressed or implied – to nationality.”

Another video showed Coote snorting a white power – which was followed by allegations that he tried to organise a ‘drugs party’ in messages sent during half-time of a match between Tottenham and Manchester City.

Coote was also alleged to have discussed giving a yellow card before and after a Championship fixture between Leeds United and West Brom.

David Coote timeline

November 2024: Video surfaces showing Coote making derogatory comments about Klopp, leading to suspension by the PGMOL.

More videos emerge, showing Coote sniffing a white powder on a rolled-up bank note during Euro 2024, sparking a UEFA investigation.

Coote also accused of trying to organise a drugs party during a Tottenham vs Man City game and discussing yellow cards in a Leeds vs West Brom match.

December 2024: Coote sacked by the PGMOL after his position became ‘untenable’.

January 2025: Coote apologises for his actions and comes out as gay.

February 2025: Coote receives two-month ban from UEFA following the investigation into the video from Euro 2024.

June 2025: Coote suspended and charged by the FA over Klopp video.

Ex-ref revealed to be working for delivery company Evri.

August 2025: Howard Webb says ‘almost certain’ Coote’s career as a referee is over.

September 2025: Coote charged with making indecent image of a child.

The ex-official did not face any charges over gambling misconduct.

Speaking in August, PGMOL chief Howard Webb admitted there was no way back for Coote.

“I think it’d be really difficult for David to come back, I’m afraid to say,” Webb said.

“He is somebody that we stay in contact with, somebody who was part of our refereeing family for a long time and served the game as well for a long period of time and I’ve known him personally for many years.

“So it’s sad what happened with David, but I would think it would be a challenging thing for him to come back.”

Coote came out as gay

In a tearful interview with The Sun in January this year, Coote revealed himself to be gay and spoke about hiding his sexuality for many years.

He said: “I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular. I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25.

“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that.

“I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well — a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.”

During his time as a referee, Coote took charge of 112 Premier League matches, along with many fixtures in the Championship, League One and League Two.

He was recently revealed to be working for delivery company Evri as part of a bid to ‘make an honest living’ and ‘get on with his life’.