Coote, 43, had been due to be sentenced on Thursday after admitting to creating a Category A indecent image of a child earlier this year. But the hearing was adjourned when the court confirmed his defense barrister would not be able to attend in person.

Judge Nirmal Shant KC, the Honorary Recorder of Nottingham, rescheduled the sentencing for January 8, stressing that the case would proceed with all legal representatives present.

Coote who lives in Woodhill Road was originally charged in August and initially denied the allegation during a September hearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. He changed his plea to guilty during a later appearance at the Crown Court in October.

Police previously confirmed the investigation centered on a video file recovered by officers in February 2025.

Before the January hearing, Coote remains on bail under strict terms. He must be supervised during any contact with minors and is barred from staying at an address where children are present.

The former top-flight referee’s fall from grace has been sharp. Coote was dismissed by PGMOL in late 2024 after a video circulated showing him making inappropriate comments about then-Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp. UEFA also suspended him during Euro 2024 after footage emerged appearing to show him sniffing white powder while on tournament duty.

Coote was promoted to the Premier League refereeing group in 2018 and officiated regularly until his dismissal.

The court will determine his sentence next month, bringing an end to a case that has sent shockwaves through English officiating circles.