Former Premier League referee David Coote has found himself at the center of a grave legal scandal after being charged with making an indecent video of a child, an offence classified as Category A under UK law, the highest and most serious category of child exploitation crimes.
According to Nottinghamshire Police, the indecent material was uncovered in February 2025 during an investigation, and the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently brought charges against him on August 12, 2025.
The 43-year-old from Collingham has since been released on conditional bail while awaiting his first appearance before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, where the details of the allegations will be formally laid out. The case underscores not only the seriousness of such charges but also the severe legal consequences that could follow, as Category A offences can carry substantial prison sentences due to the harm and exploitation involved.
This shocking development adds to what has already been a controversial and troubled chapter in Coote’s career. Once regarded as one of the top officials in English football, Coote’s reputation had begun to unravel long before the criminal charges emerged. In December 2024, he was dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after multiple controversies tarnished his professional standing.
Among these incidents were the circulation of a video showing him (Coote) making derogatory remarks directed at then-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, as well as allegations of drug use during Euro 2024. These episodes raised serious questions about his conduct, both on and off the pitch, and led to his removal from the pool of elite referees trusted to oversee Premier League fixtures.
In January 2025, Coote made headlines again when he publicly revealed his sexuality, explaining that years of hiding the fact that he was gay had contributed to his personal struggles and some of the behavior that ultimately damaged his refereeing career.
While his openness was initially met with sympathy in parts of the football community, the subsequent revelations about his conduct overshadowed that moment. Adding to his troubles, UEFA imposed a ban preventing him from officiating in European competitions until June 2026, a move that effectively ended any chance of him rebuilding his refereeing career at the international level.
The PGMOL investigation also revealed a second video which emerged in November 2024, appearing to show Coote snorting a white powder, purportedly during Euro 2024 where he was one of the assistant VARs for the tournament.
Now, with the criminal charge of making an indecent video of a child, Coote’s situation has escalated from professional disgrace to potentially life-changing legal consequences. Under UK law, “making” such material not only refers to the act of producing it but can also cover the act of downloading, saving, or otherwise causing an indecent image to exist on a device.
If convicted, he could face significant prison time, which would mean spending many years behind bars, separated from his family, friends, and the football community. In addition to imprisonment, he would be subject to a lifelong mark on the sex offenders’ register, a permanent record that carries serious social stigma and legal restrictions.
This register requires offenders to regularly notify authorities of their whereabouts and limits their contact with certain groups of people, profoundly impacting their everyday life. Moreover, there would likely be further restrictions imposed on both his personal and professional life, including possible bans from holding certain jobs, especially within sports and youth-related activities.
The charge has shocked many people within the football world and beyond, as it involves someone who once stood on the biggest stages of English football, admired by fans and respected by peers. The stark contrast between his past achievements and current legal troubles has left many grappling with disbelief and disappointment. His reputation, carefully built over years of dedication and success on the pitch, now lies in ruins, overshadowed by the severity of the allegations.
The case is set to proceed in the coming weeks, moving forward with court hearings and legal procedures that will determine the outcome of the charges against him. Given the high-profile nature of the individual involved and the seriousness of the accusations, the trial will be closely watched by the media, football fans, and the general public alike. Many are eager to see how the justice system handles the case and what the final verdict will be, as it will not only affect the accused but may also have wider implications for the sport and society’s approach to such crimes.
