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Former Premier League Referee David Coote Avoids Jail Sentence Over Abuse Video
Former Premier League referee David Coote, once one of English football’s top officials, has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting involvement with an indecent video involving a minor. The news has shocked the football community and reignited debate about accountability for public figures.
Court Case and Sentence
Coote, 43, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday where prosecutors detailed that a Category A sexual video involving a 15-year-old boy in school uniform was found on his personal laptop by police. Under UK law, Category A is the most serious classification of indecent imagery, covering the most severe forms of child abuse material.
After pleading guilty to making an indecent image of a child in October 2025, Coote was sentenced to nine months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. In addition to the suspended sentence, the judge ordered:
• 150 hours of unpaid work
• A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting contact with children
• A requirement to adhere to other probation conditions set by the court
Judge Nirmal Shant KC remarked that Coote had suffered a “spectacular fall from grace” during proceedings and stressed the severity of offences involving material that depicts real children being abused.
How the Case Came to Light
The explicit material was discovered after police began a separate investigation into Coote following a controversial video of him making derogatory comments about then-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, dating back to 2020. That video had originally sparked scrutiny by the Football Association (FA) and led to Coote’s sacking by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024.
Police seized multiple electronic devices from Coote’s Nottinghamshire home in February 2025, leading to the discovery of the video dating from January 2020.
Downfall of a High-Profile Official
Once a respected referee, Coote officiated over 100 Premier League matches and had been part of the English refereeing elite for years. However, a series of incidents — including the viral Klopp rant and an unrelated video of him consuming cocaine while on duty at Euro 2024 — significantly tarnished his reputation. He was also banned by UEFA until June 2026 as part of disciplinary action.
In January 2025, Coote publicly spoke about personal struggles with his sexuality and mental health, suggesting these had impacted his behaviour, though these issues were not a factor in the legal case regarding the indecent imagery.
Public Reaction and Broader Context
The sentence has prompted strong reactions, with many commentators and fans questioning why Coote avoided immediate custody despite the grave nature of the offence. Supporters of the decision point to his guilty plea, court-mandated rehabilitation efforts, and isolated nature of the offence, while critics argue that public figures should face the full weight of the law, especially in child protection cases.
Legal experts explain that suspended sentences are not uncommon in cases where courts believe the offender poses a low risk of reoffending and that rehabilitation can be achieved outside of prison, although such outcomes remain controversial. (This aspect reflects general legal context and is not a direct news quote.)
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