Former Premier League referee David Coote has been handed a nine‑month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to possessing an indecent image of a child, in a case that has shocked the football community and sparked widespread media attention.
The 43‑year‑old ex‑official, who once officiated in England’s top flight and was FIFA‑listed, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday where he admitted to a Category A offence, the most serious classification under UK law, relating to a video found on his laptop that showed a 15‑year‑old boy in a school uniform performing explicit acts.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC described Coote’s conduct as a “spectacular fall from grace”, noting the seriousness of the offence while allowing him to avoid immediate imprisonment. In addition to the suspended sentence, Coote was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and was placed under a 10‑year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts his contact and communication with children.
The video was uncovered by police in February 2025 after his electronic devices were seized during an investigation that followed a separate incident in which a video of Coote making offensive comments about then Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp surfaced publicly, leading to his dismissal by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024.
Prosecutors told the court that Coote had transferred the video from another device to his laptop in January 2020. He initially entered a not‑guilty plea in September but changed his plea to guilty the following month.
In mitigation, Coote’s lawyer cited mental health struggles and cocaine use at the time of the offence, saying he was deeply ashamed” of his actions. Judge Shant acknowledged these personal difficulties but emphasised that the offence involved real child abuse and highlighted its gravity.
Coote’s career, which saw him referee in over 100 Premier League matches and officiate at major European competitions, ended amid controversy. He was previously suspended by the Football Association and later by UEFA, with his dismissal marking the end of his refereeing profession.