David Coote: From Premier League Referee to Legal Troubles – A Fall from Grace

Recent Developments

Former Premier League referee David Coote, 43, from Collingham in Nottinghamshire, is currently facing serious legal charges. He has been charged with making an indecent image of a child and is scheduled to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

Background and Career

David Coote began his career as a referee at the age of sixteen. His journey included officiating in various leagues including the Notts Alliance League, the Northern Counties East Football League, the Northern Premier League and the Conference North.

His career highlights included his first Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion in April 2018. He was subsequently promoted to Select Group 1 for the 2018-19 season. One of his most significant appointments was officiating the 2023 EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Recent Controversies

Coote’s career took a dramatic turn when he was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024, following the emergence of a video containing abusive comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

In January 2025, Coote came out as gay, revealing that the pressure of hiding his sexuality in football’s “macho world” had affected him significantly. He acknowledged that concealing his emotions and sexuality as a referee, while professionally beneficial, had negative personal consequences.

Current Legal Situation

The current charges against Coote relate to a Category A offence, considered the most serious of its kind, involving a video file discovered by officers in February 2025. The specific charge pertains to activities such as downloading, sharing or saving abuse-related content.

In response to recent events, Coote has stated that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions, acknowledging they fell “way below” what was expected of him, and has expressed remorse for bringing negative attention to the sport.