David Coote has arrived at Nottingham Magistrates Court for a hearing after being charged with making a ‘category A’ indecent video of a child.
The 43-year-old, who was sacked by refs’ body PGMOL last year, is accused with making one indecent video of a child of ‘category A’ on January 2, 2020. Category A is the most serious of the categories.
The charge relates to acts such as downloading, sharing and saving material.
A statement released by the Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday read: ‘A suspect is due to appear in court after being charged with making an indecent image of a child.
‘David Coote, aged 43, has been charged with the offence after an investigation by Nottinghamshire Police.
‘The charge relates to a video file recovered by officers in February of this year. Coote, of Collingham, was charged on 12 August and is currently on conditional police bail.
‘He is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court tomorrow 11 September.’
Coote was spotted wearing a navy suit, white shirt, a black tie and black shoes for his court appearance. He was joined by a representative.
The 43-year-old was searched on his way into court and his appearance was set to get underway at 10am.
Coote, a top-flight and international mainstay, was sacked in December after a video emerged of him making disparaging remarks about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
In June, Coote was charged by the Football Association over the comments he made about Klopp, having labelled the former Liverpool boss a ‘German ****’ in the video.
Referencing Klopp’s German nationality constituted an ‘aggravated breach’ of the rules, according to the FA.
Earlier this summer PGMOL chief Howard Webb ruled out a return to officiating for Coote.
‘I think it’d be really difficult for David to come back, I’m afraid to say,’ Webb said.
‘He is somebody that we stay in contact with, somebody who was part of our refereeing family for a long time and served the game as well for a long period of time and I’ve known him personally for many years.
‘So it’s sad what happened with with David, but I would think it would be challenging thing for him to come back.’
Coote expressed remorse for his actions and spoke about being in a dark place at the time the videos were taken. He also said that he had hidden the fact he was gay during his career for fear of subsequent abuse.
‘My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay and that I’ve had real struggles with hiding that,’ he said.
‘I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well – a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.’
In June, Coote – who first officiated in the Premier League in April 2018 – was spotted delivering packages for courier firm Evri.
In footage obtained by The Sun of a couple’s ring doorbell at their house, the former Premier League referee was seen dropping off a parcel for the company.
