Former Premier League referee pleads guilty to a serious online offence
Former Premier League official David Coote has admitted to a serious offence related to the possession of an indecent image of a child. The 43-year-old appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday to enter his plea, after Nottinghamshire Police recovered a category A video in February as part of their ongoing investigations into online abuse material. Category A is the most serious designation for such material in UK law.
The courtroom exchange
Coote, who wore a navy suit with a black tie, spoke only to confirm his name and to enter the guilty plea during the hearing before Judge Nirmal Shant KC. He stood in the dock with his hands clasped in front of him as the judge outlined the process ahead. The judge ordered a pre-sentence report, noting that the final decision on custody or other penalties would depend on information gathered for that report.
Court proceedings and next steps
With a pre-sentence report now in motion, Coote was granted conditional bail and told to return for a sentence hearing on 11 December. The timing underscores the careful procedure the court follows when handling offences related to child abuse imagery, ensuring all aggravating and mitigating factors are fully considered before a sentence is imposed.
A career mix of high-profile duties and controversy
David Coote’s professional life in football has been marked by both on-field responsibilities and administrative scrutiny. The former official served as a Premier League referee, later becoming a prominent figure within refereeing circles. His contract with Referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) was terminated in December after a video emerged showing him making abusive comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in 2020. The incident added to a broader conversation about accountability and the pressures faced by officials both on and off the pitch.
Context and background
The August charge against Coote related specifically to “making an indecent image of a child,” a term used in UK law to cover activities such as downloading, saving, or distributing abuse images involving young people. Police and prosecutors have emphasized that such offences carry serious penalties, reflecting the severe harm caused to victims and the potential for ongoing harm in the digital realm.
Public statements and personal revelations
In January, Coote publicly spoke about his sexuality in an interview with The Sun, describing a lifelong struggle to conceal being gay. He said that this internal conflict contributed to a blow-up in which he directed abusive remarks at Klopp. While personal disclosures can humanize public figures, they do not mitigate the seriousness of criminal activity, and the court will weigh all aspects when determining an appropriate sentence.
Looking ahead
The case continues to move through the legal process, with the next court date set to determine the appropriate penalty consistent with the severity of the offence. The police and prosecuting authorities have stressed their commitment to pursuing cases involving child abuse material, and the legal system will continue to apply rigorous standards in handling such charges.
This developing news story is being updated as new information emerges. Readers are advised to refresh the page for the latest details.
