David Coote in further hot water as new serious charge emerges of him making indecent image of child in February.
Former Premier League referee David Coote charged with making indecent image of child.
David Coote, a former Premier League referee who was fired last year due to a string of scandals, has been accused of creating an offensive image of a child. The charge, which is related to a video that authorities found in February, is for the most serious Category A offence, according to Nottinghamshire police.
Creating an indecent image of a kid includes actions like downloading, sharing, or storing images or recordings of abuse. According to Sentencing Council rules, images classed as Category A typically depict youngsters engaging in “penetrative sexual activity.”
Coote is being held on conditional bail after being charged on August 12. On Thursday, he is scheduled to appear at Nottingham magistrates court.
The English refereeing organisation Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) fired the 43-year-old last December following a series of disclosures about his off-field conduct.
In 2020, Coote made derogatory remarks about Jürgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool at the time, in a video that was circulated online. In a another video, Coote was seen taking white drug at the 2024 Uefa men’s European Championship while serving as an official in Germany.
In a lengthy interview with the Sun in January, Coote came out as gay and said that his tirade at Klopp and his alleged drug usage was partly caused by a lifetime of trying to conceal his sexual orientation.
Howard Webb, the chief referee for the PGMO, effectively ruled out Coote returning to officiating at the beginning of this season. “I regret to inform you that I believe it would be extremely challenging for David to return,” Webb stated.
Coote was prohibited by Uefa in February from officiating any of its games until June 30, 2026. Because to the Klopp video, Coote was suspended by the Football Association in August.