Ex-Premier League Referee David Coote Charged Over Child Abuse Video

Lead: Former Premier League official David Coote was charged by Nottinghamshire Police on Wednesday with making an indecent image of a child and is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Nut Graf: The 43-year-old’s charge follows a police inquiry that uncovered a video file earlier this year, marking a dramatic fall for a once-respected referee and underscoring growing scrutiny of misconduct in professional football.

Court Appearance

  • Charged on August 12 and released on conditional bail pending a court appearance on September 11 in Nottingham.
  • Faces a Category A offence - the most serious classification for indecent material involving a child.

Previous Disciplinary Actions

  • Dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited in December 2024 after making offensive remarks about Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in a video.
  • Suspended for eight weeks by the Football Association in August 2025 over the Klopp comments.
  • Banned from UEFA competitions until June 30, 2026, after images emerged of him inhaling a white substance at Euro 2024.

David Coote, a resident of Collingham, Nottinghamshire, officiated in the Premier League from the 2017-18 season before his abrupt removal. Nottinghamshire Police recovered the video file in February 2025 during an ongoing investigation into alleged child exploitation materials.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited confirmed Coote’s contract termination followed an internal probe into a separate video that surfaced online late last year showing derogatory remarks about a high-profile football figure. The FA’s subsequent disciplinary measures included mandatory education alongside his suspension.

UEFA’s ethics committee imposed a ban after evidence emerged of Coote using a rolled-up banknote to inhale a white powder while serving as assistant VAR during Euro 2024. UEFA cited a breach of conduct and reputational damage to the sport.

As Coote prepares to face the magistrates, Nottinghamshire Police emphasize the seriousness of Category A charges, which encompass creation, distribution, or possession of indecent videos involving minors. The court’s decision will shape the next chapter in a case that has reignited calls for stricter oversight of officials’ conduct both on and off the field.