Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote, who recently pleaded guilty to making an indecent image of a child, was previously investigated and cleared over a similar allegation in 2017, according to a report by Telegraph Sport.
The publication revealed that a PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) staff member and former referee had alerted authorities after hearing of an alleged incident involving Coote from a third party. The individual reportedly confronted Coote directly over the phone before escalating the matter to then PGMOL boss Mike Riley. The complaint was later passed on to the Football Association (FA) and subsequently the police.
After the image at the centre of the 2017 allegation was examined by a specialist unit, investigators determined that no action would be taken. Coote, who was officiating primarily in the Championship at the time, was briefly removed from the officiating list in August 2017 but reinstated within weeks after being cleared of wrongdoing.
Coote Rapid Career Progression After Clearance
Despite the 2017 investigation, Coote’s career trajectory within English football continued to rise sharply. Within a year of returning to duty, he had earned promotion to officiate in the Premier League, joining the elite ranks of English referees.
In 2018, Coote was even invited by the FA to deliver a motivational address at a junior referees’ conference, underscoring the governing body’s confidence in his integrity and standing within the sport. His career reached further heights when he was appointed to referee the 2023 League Cup final and later served as a VAR official at the UEFA European Championship that summer.
At that stage, Coote was regarded as one of English football’s most trusted officials, often involved in high-profile matches and major competitions.
Public Scandal and Media Exposure
Coote’s fall from grace began in November 2023 when The Sun published a damning exposé containing videos of the referee making offensive remarks about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and appearing to inhale a white powder.
In the wake of the scandal, Coote granted an interview in which he publicly revealed that he was gay, claiming that fear of backlash over his sexuality had caused him personal turmoil for years. His confession attracted both sympathy and criticism, as many questioned whether it was an attempt to divert attention from the damaging revelations about his conduct.
Despite the controversy, there was little indication at the time that Coote’s troubles would deepen into the serious criminal sphere that would later define his downfall.
Criminal Charges and Guilty Plea
In September 2025, Nottinghamshire Police charged Coote with making an indecent image of a child after investigators found a Category A video—the most severe classification—on his laptop. Initially, Coote pleaded not guilty when he appeared before a Magistrates Court. However, he later changed his plea to guilty during proceedings at Nottingham Crown Court.
The 52-year-old now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for December, when the court will review reports before determining the final outcome. Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Coote that his crime was serious and that he should not assume he would be spared imprisonment, emphasizing, “You mustn’t go away with the impression that this automatically means a non-custodial sentence—it doesn’t.”
Consequences and Fallout
Following his guilty plea, Coote was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, with the duration of his registration to be determined by the length of his eventual sentence. He was released on conditional bail, with strict orders prohibiting him from having any contact with minors or residing at any address where children are present.
The revelation that Coote had been previously investigated and cleared in 2017 has prompted serious questions for the FA and PGMOL regarding oversight and safeguarding protocols within professional officiating. Critics argue that the governing bodies failed to act decisively despite earlier concerns, allowingDavid to continue officiating at the highest level for years.
As English football grapples with the disturbing implications of the case, the once-celebrated referee now stands as a stark reminder of how institutional failings can allow misconduct to remain hidden—until it’s far too late.
