Ex-Premier League referee David Coote pleads not guilty to indecent image charge
Coote granted conditional bail; next hearing set for Oct. 9 at Nottingham Crown Court
Former Premier League referee David Coote has pleaded not guilty to a charge of making an indecent image of a child and was granted conditional bail after an appearance at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
The 43-year-old, of Woodhill Road in Collingham, Nottinghamshire, was charged on Aug. 12 following an investigation by Nottinghamshire Police. Court records show the allegation relates to a video file recovered by officers in February. During the 18-minute hearing Coote spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and to enter his plea. He is due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Oct. 9.
The offence of making an indecent image of a child covers activities such as downloading, sharing or saving abusive photographs or videos, according to legal definitions cited by the court. Coote was granted conditional bail with conditions set by magistrates; those conditions were not detailed in court records released after the hearing.
Coote was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December after a video of comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in 2020 emerged publicly. European football's governing body, UEFA, has also imposed a ban on him until June 30, 2026. No further disciplinary measures announced by football authorities were disclosed at the hearing.
Nottinghamshire Police announced the charge in August after detectives examined digital material recovered earlier in the year. Prosecutors must decide whether to pursue the case at the Crown Court after the preparatory hearing. At that stage, evidence and legal arguments about admissibility and disclosure are typically considered before a trial date is set.
Coote officiated at top-level matches in England prior to his dismissal. The matter will now proceed through the criminal courts, where the charge must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. The next scheduled court appearance on Oct. 9 will take place at Nottingham Crown Court, where a judge will oversee further pre-trial proceedings.