David Coote’s guilty plea marks a dramatic fall from grace for a once-prominent figure in English football officiating. A respected referee who began officiating in the Premier League in 2018, Coote had worked in top-flight matches for several years before being dismissed in 2023 over separate disciplinary issues.
His career began unraveling after comments he made in a private video about then-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp surfaced publicly. The remarks, made in 2020, led to widespread criticism and ultimately his dismissal from officiating duties. In August 2024, the Football Association handed Coote an eight-week suspension for the same incident.
In January 2025, Coote publicly came out as gay, explaining that years of concealing his sexuality had contributed to the emotional distress behind his earlier misconduct. At the time, he expressed hopes of rebuilding his reputation within the sport. However, the latest conviction has ended any prospect of a return to professional football and could lead to a prison sentence depending on the court’s final ruling in December.
The National Crime Agency and local police have been working with digital forensic experts to assess the materials found on Coote’s devices. The case has drawn renewed attention to safeguarding and accountability within sports organizations, emphasizing the importance of regular background checks and mental health support for officials at all levels.
As sentencing approaches, Coote remains on bail under strict conditions. The court is expected to consider both the nature of the offence and his personal circumstances before determining the outcome. Regardless of the sentence, his conviction has effectively closed the chapter on what was once a promising career in professional refereeing.