From Stadium Spotlight To Criminal Court
A former Premier League referee once trusted with the nation’s biggest matches is now facing one of the most serious charges imaginable—accused of creating an indecent video involving a child. David Coote, 43, was once a regular fixture at top-flight football grounds. Today, he stands accused of a crime that could destroy what’s left of his already disgraced career.
Fall From Grace After Touchline Scandal
Coote was already under a cloud when the latest charge emerged. Less than a year ago, his refereeing career came crashing down after footage appeared online showing him allegedly insulting Jürgen Klopp and appearing to take drugs. That video, filmed in 2020 but leaked publicly in 2024, showed the official using a slur referencing Klopp’s nationality during a drunken rant.
The fallout was swift. The Football Association suspended him for eight weeks, ordered mandatory face-to-face education, and banned him from UEFA appointments until mid-2026. He was axed from the Premier League officiating pool and quietly disappeared from the game he once served.
Now Charged In Child Abuse Investigation
On top of that professional collapse comes a far more serious allegation. Police have charged Coote with making a “category A” indecent video involving a child—the most serious level under UK law. He is due to appear before magistrates in Nottingham to face the charge. No further details have been made public, but the offence is understood to relate to a recent investigation.
Coote has not made any public comment about the charge, and the Football Association has declined to discuss whether they were aware of the investigation before his suspension.
Troubled History Behind The Whistle
In interviews following the Klopp video scandal, Coote admitted he had been hiding his sexuality for years and that the pressure of keeping it secret played a role in his erratic behaviour. He claimed he had been battling personal demons while operating in one of football’s most scrutinised jobs. “I wasn’t coping,” he said at the time. “I was self-destructing behind closed doors.”
He also apologised to Klopp, the football community, and the FA, saying he hoped to rebuild his life. But that was before this latest and far more serious allegation came to light.
Once Trusted With The Game’s Biggest Moments
Coote had climbed the ranks steadily over two decades. He became a League-level referee in 2010, reached the Premier League in 2018, and officiated the EFL Cup Final in 2023. He was trusted with VAR decisions in FA Cup semi-finals and appeared regularly on high-profile fixtures.
Now, all of that has been eclipsed. What was once a story of slow and steady rise has turned into a rapid and dramatic fall. If found guilty, Coote could face years behind bars—and any hope of redemption will likely be gone for good.
