Former Premier League ref David Coote is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. He’s admitted in court to creating an indecent image of a child – a category A offence, which is the most serious. Coote was spotted at Nottingham Crown Court looking sombre in a navy suit and black tie. He only spoke to confirm his name and his guilty plea during the brief six-minute session.
The 43-year-old, formerly of the football pitch but now facing justice, has been granted conditional bail until his next court date on 11 December. The judge, recognising the gravity of the situation, has called for a pre-sentence report to decide whether he’ll face time behind bars. It’s a serious matter, and the court is taking it step by step.
Some may remember Coote was previously axed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited. This followed the emergence of a video where he made remarks about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. That incident led to an eight-week suspension by the FA.
Earlier this year, Coote candidly shared with the public that he is gay, revealing that years of hiding his sexuality may have contributed to past controversial comments.
This is certainly a far cry from the football pitch, and only time will tell how justice will be served. Keep an eye out for updates as December approaches.