The disgrace of David Coote - The Athletic

David Coote, a Premier League referee, faced a significant downfall as he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to serious offenses that have permanently tarnished his reputation.

Initially, Coote was a respected figure in Newark, Nottinghamshire, and some sympathy existed for him due to personal connections, such as shared hometown ties. However, his image began to erode as tabloid press exposed his offensive behavior, including calling Jurgen Klopp derogatory names, which raised suspicions of being set up through leaked video footage.

Further revelations intensified the situation, with multiple stories emerging that went beyond mere dislike for public figures. A pivotal moment came when a video surfaced showing Coote snorting a white powder through a rolled-up bank note during Euro 2024, despite his role as an assistant VAR in the tournament. This led to a 16-month ban from UEFA for violating conduct rules and bringing football into disrepute.

The most severe issue involved Coote pleading guilty to creating a sexually explicit image of a 15-year-old, classified as a Category A offense involving sexual penetration, which he had initially denied. The image was discovered on a hard drive during a police search of his home and dated back to January 2020.

As a result of his guilty plea, the judge, Nirmal Shant, indicated that Coote could face imprisonment in future proceedings, marking an irreversible shift in public perception from a once-respected referee to a convicted sex offender and paedophile.