Sophia
David Coote, the former Premier League referee whose career ended abruptly in December 2024, has been charged with making an indecent video of a child. This development follows his dismissal from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) due to derogatory comments made about Liverpool and their former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
Serious Charges Emerge
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the charges against the 43-year-old Coote, stating he has been charged with a Category A offence. The charge relates to a video file reportedly recovered in February of this year. Coote, who was formally charged on August 12, has been released on conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 11.
A Downward Spiral: From Premier League to Public Scrutiny
Coote’s professional officiating career in the Premier League concluded last year after PGMOL deemed his comments about Liverpool and Klopp a “serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract.” Initially, Coote denied the authenticity of the video containing the remarks but later admitted it was genuine.
In a candid interview with The Sun, Coote attributed his struggles to drug abuse, stemming from the difficulties he faced in concealing his sexuality. He claimed he “didn’t recognise” himself in the video where he used a derogatory term to describe Klopp.
Additional Bans and Sanctions
The Football Association previously issued an eight-week ban to Coote in August, specifically for the comments made about Liverpool and Klopp. Furthermore, UEFA has imposed a ban on him from officiating until June 30, 2026. This UEFA ban followed the publication of photographs allegedly showing him snorting a white powder, despite his prior selection as an assistant VAR official for Euro 2024.
The unfolding legal proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched as the football world grapples with the severe implications of these charges against a former top-flight official.
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