Nottinghamshire Police have since confirmed that David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has been charged. On top of all that, he is now being accused of creating an obscene video featuring a minor. The expense, considered a Category A offence, originated from a video file that police found in February 2025. Coote, who was granted conditional bail, is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 11.
The 43-year-old Coote, of Collingham, near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, had come under fire for a series of hazardous blunders before this latest charge. In December 2023, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) sacked him. This decision came after an inquiry into an online clip that reportedly showed him making distasteful remarks concerning Liverpool FC and their ex-boss Jurgen Klopp.
Sure enough, in November 2024, another video leaked, this time seemingly showing Coote snorting a white powder while at Euro 2024. At the time, he was working as one of the assistant VARs for the World Cup. The release of these videos led UEFA to assign an ethics investigator to further investigate the climate around Coote.
UEFA has since placed Coote under a ban until June 30, 2026. This ruling removes him from serving in any officiating capacity during the impending months of this time. The charges currently levied against him have only increased this scrutiny. Now, all eyes are on him as they closely look at his track record and behavior within the football world.
Yet, as the case unfolds, it poses serious questions about the honesty of public servants in the sport. These charges have deep implications. They have a knock on effect beyond Coote’s immediate career but what is expected of all referees and officials going forward in professional top flight football.
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