Former Premier League Referee David Coote Pleads Guilty to Making Indecent Image of Child

Former Premier League referee David Coote, 43, has pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to making an indecent image of a child.

“Former Premier League referee David Coote has pled guilty to the charge of making an indecent image of a child”

Sports Illustrated

The image was specifically a Category A video, which is the most serious classification.

Sports Illustrated

Multiple outlets report that the file was recovered by police in February.

Coote was granted conditional bail with a return to court set for December 11 while a pre-sentence report is prepared.

Judges have underscored the seriousness of the offence, warning that a custodial sentence is likely.

Several reports note that Coote initially denied the charge before changing his plea in court.

Several outlets specify Category A as the gravest form of child sexual abuse material.

Some sources provide differing details about the file and timeline.

Businessday NG

Football365 defines Category A as involving penetrative sexual activity.

The Telegraph and Sports Illustrated report the file involved a 15‑year‑old.

There are also conflicting timelines regarding the case.

Nottinghamshire Live says the charge dates back to January 2020.

News18 and Goal report discovery during a February 2025 investigation.

Many others simply say it was recovered by police in February without specifying the year.

Even the maximum penalty is reported differently across sources.

The Telegraph and News18 cite up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The Mirror states the maximum penalty as up to five years under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

How the investigation was triggered and how his employment ended are described differently across sources.

“Former Premier League referee David Coote has pleaded guilty to making an indecent image of a child”

Goal

The Telegraph reports the video was discovered during an FA investigation into a possible gambling rules breach.

Newark Advertiser reports the FA probe began after a video of derogatory remarks about Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp surfaced.

Seized devices revealed conversations suggesting a sexual interest in children, which were then passed to police.

On employment, several outlets say Coote was dismissed by the referees’ body after the derogatory-remarks video.

Sky Sports frames the dismissal as following the allegations.

Local and mainstream outlets consistently note a December 11 court date and pre-sentence report.

Coverage of Coote’s career fallout and prior controversies varies across different media outlets.

Multiple mainstream and local sources link his dismissal to a leaked video containing derogatory remarks about Jurgen Klopp and mention an FA suspension.

The Mirror

Tabloid and alternative outlets include additional allegations and personal details that are not verified elsewhere.

The Sun reports an extra video showing Coote snorting a white powder, a UEFA ban lasting until June 30, 2026, and that he later worked as a delivery driver.

Businessday NG and the London Evening Standard report that he publicly came out as gay and connected his past behavior to struggles with his sexuality.

Football365 and The Mirror provide details about earlier professional sanctions and notable matches he officiated.

Judicial signals point toward a likely custodial sentence, though outcomes remain to be decided after the pre-sentence report.

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Liverpool

Businessday NG reports Judge Nirmal Shant KC emphasized the seriousness of the offense and warned that a custodial sentence was likely.

Liverpool

The Guardian adds that Coote was granted conditional bail with a sexual harm prevention order and told not to contact children.

This aligns with Nottinghamshire Live and Newark Advertiser accounts of strict bail conditions and future applications for protective orders.

Across coverage, most outlets converge on a December 11 date for sentencing or the next hearing.

However, some details—such as maximum penalties, what triggered the investigation, and the precise timeline—remain inconsistent.

GB News, meanwhile, reports statements focusing on mental health and gratitude to supporters, a markedly different tone from the legal coverage.