Former Premier League referee David Coote has been sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, for possessing images of child pornography. In addition, you will have to carry out 150 hours of community work and a sexual violence prevention order will apply to you for 10 years. The judge in charge of the case considered that David Coote had “fallen from grace” after reaching the height of his career as a professional football referee. The downward trajectory began in 2024 with an investigation related to alleged insults by Coote directed at former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, which resulted in a suspension imposed by UEFA and the referee's dismissal by the Premier League. During these investigations, cocaine was found in Coote's home, which he said was for his own consumption, and sexual images involving minors were found on a hard drive. «Those who commit this type of crime need to understand that they involve a real child, and that this causes them harm», stressed the judge. Coote's defense, who admitted having had difficulties dealing with his sexuality and the death threats he says he received throughout his football career, assured in court that the former referee, who in the meantime worked as a courier, sought psychiatric support and has not used cocaine since he was arrested eleven months ago.