Banned referee David Coote to appear in court charged with making indecent video of a child

Banned referee David Coote is due to appear in court this week, accused and charged with making an indecent video of a child.

The 43 year old faces charges for making an indecent Category A video of a child on January 2nd, 2020.

Nottinghamshire Live contacted Nottinghamshire Police on the 10th of September 10, with the force issuing a statement, which 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.”

BREAKING: Ex-Premier League referee David Coote charged with making indecent video of a childhttps://t.co/KM398OiSPP pic.twitter.com/xqXiOOH5ME

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) September 10, 2025

Coote was sacked by PGMOL back in December 2024 after derogatory comments about Jurgen Klopp, which also led to an FA charge for an “aggravated breach.”

Four weeks ago, David Coote was punished by the FA for comments he made about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp in a gone viral video.

The FA imposed an eight-week suspension and mandatory face-to-face education programme upon David Coote after he admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to comments made about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp in a video which emerged in November.

Coote, a former PGMOL match official, was charged by The FA for breaching FA Rule E3.1 due to using discriminatory language (“German Cunt”) referring to Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded in July 2020.

The breach was deemed aggravated under Rule E3.2 for referencing nationality.

UEFA banned him until June 2026 for alleged drug use during the 2024 European Championships.

Coote came out as gay in January, citing struggles with his sexuality as a factor in his actions.

Seven months ago, David Coote opened up on the ‘dark days’ as the sacked referee reveals he feels ashamed of incidents, drug use and the Jurgen Klopp comment.

After talking to The Sun, David Coote held an extended interview, chatting with Sky Sports‘ Mark McAdam.

Coote admitted to using cocaine as an escape from the pressures associated with his job, specifically citing the fear of coming out as gay in the “macho world” of Premier League football as a significant stressor.

His acknowledgment of drug use came in the wake of images that surfaced showing him allegedly snorting white powder, which contributed to his dismissal by the PGMOL in December 2024.

Coote has discussed this in an emotional interview, where he also came out as gay, highlighting the internal struggles he faced with his sexuality and the impact it had on his mental health and behaviour.

Another incident involved a video where Coote allegedly made derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and the club itself. This led to immediate suspension and an investigation by both the PGMOL and the FA, with the remarks being seen as a breach of conduct, especially since they included references to Klopp’s nationality, which could be considered an aggravated breach under FA rules.

Coote’s revelations and the subsequent fallout have not only ended his career as a referee but have also sparked discussions about the pressures and personal challenges faced by officials in high-profile sports like football. These incidents have shed light on issues of integrity, personal conduct, and the need for support systems within sports organisations for officials dealing with personal or professional stress.

David Coote on ‘dark days’, reveals he feels ashamed on incidents, drug use and Klopp comment

After being sacked as a referee, David Coote took up a new job with a video showing him delivering Evri packages in December.

David Coote said to The Sun he was trying to move forward after losing his career due to a drug-related incident, which he acknowledges as his own mistake.

He expressed shame but is focusing on rebuilding his life, staying busy with work, spending time with loved ones, reflecting on the loss of his mother, and wished for her support while feeling ashamed of his actions.

Coote ran in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2025 to raise funds for his uncle with motor neurone disease, in honour of his uncle with MND.

The public scrutiny he’s faced led to shame, suicidal thoughts, and a panic attack. He says he has gone to therapy and had support, while also embracing his identity as a gay man.