Scandal-hit former Premier League referee David Coote receives court verdict

Over the past few months, a case involving former Premier League referee David Coote has been ongoing, with him suspected of creating indecent images of a child.

Details: According to The Athletic, he was handed a nine-month suspended sentence, deferred for two years. As a result, Coote avoided an immediate custodial prison term. He has also been ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.

The verdict was delivered at a court in Nottingham, where he arrived on the morning of Thursday, January 8.

It was previously reported that the 43-year-old referee had pleaded guilty, and the court granted conditional bail pending sentencing.

Reminder: This is not Coote’s first controversy. In June 2025, the Football Association charged him with an “aggravated breach” of regulations over comments he made about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.

Coote was also dismissed in December 2024 after a video surfaced on social media showing him making offensive remarks about Klopp. He received an eight-month suspension for those comments.