Former Premier League referee David Coote has pleaded not guilty to a Category A offence relating to an indecent video of a child.
After the police in Nottinghamshire found a video file in February, the 43-year-old father was charged on 12 August. The 43-year-old, who had his referee job suspended in December 2024, was charged following the discovery of a video file by Nottinghamshire Police in February. The single count of charge is among several offences that involve the illegal material being downloaded, transferred onto the device, and shared.
Coote showed up at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 11, where he rejected the allegation. He was allowed to go on bail with certain conditions and is scheduled to be at the court again on October 9 to answer bail.
The incident that marked the beginning of his downfall was the decision by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to unilaterally terminate his contract due to comments made by him about Liverpool and ex-manager Jürgen Klopp that not only constituted one serious breach of the terms of his employment but also were derogatory in nature.
In an interview, Coote not only confessed to using drugs and going through difficult times with himself but also declared the video where he mocked Klopp as authentic.
The Football Association handed him an eight-week ban earlier this year, and UEFA suspended him from officiating until June 2026 after images surfaced of him using a white substance.
Talking about what is now his fight in court versus his past refereeing career at the highest level, Coote’s legal battle is front and center.
