Former Premier League referee David Coote pleaded guilty at Crown Court to creating an indecent image of a minor.
Coote, who was previously a Premier League referee until he was dismissed in December 2024, appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday.
The appearance was related to an accusation about a Category A video, the most serious type, which was recovered by the police in February.
The 43-year-old former referee only confirmed his name and declared his guilt during the six-minute hearing.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC granted him conditional bail and ordered him to reappear in court on December 11.
You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter. Whether or not this means custody will be decided when all the information is before the court, which is why I have ordered a pre-sentencing report.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC
Coote was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited in December after a video of comments he had made about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in 2020 came to light.
In August of this year, the Football Association imposed an eight-week suspension on him for Klopp’s images.
In January, Coote revealed that he was gay in an interview.
