Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making a Category A indecent image of a child, a development that has stunned the football community.
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the charge against the 43-year-old, linked to a video recovered in February 2025 from an incident dated January 2, 2020.
Coote, sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) in December 2024 after multiple scandals, is due to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Category A offenses are the most serious, involving penetrative sexual activity or abuse of children. Sentencing typically ranges from 12 months to three years in prison, according to Sentencing Council guidelines.
The offense of “making” such an image includes downloading, saving, or sharing the material. Crown Prosecution Service figures show over 41,000 child abuse image crimes were recorded in England and Wales in 2022-2023.
Coote has a history of controversy. In 2020, he was filmed making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, leading to an eight-week FA ban imposed in August 2025.
A separate video from Euro 2024 showed him snorting a white powder, prompting UEFA to ban him from officiating until June 2026.
In January 2025, he came out as gay, blaming years of hiding his sexuality for poor judgment in his career. Initial sympathy from fans has since been replaced by anger over the current charge.
Coote has been on conditional bail since August 12, 2025, as police investigations continue.
The case has reignited debate about the conduct of match officials and highlighted the urgent need for stronger safeguards within football.