Premier League referee David Coote has found himself on the other side of the law after appearing in court over a dangerous driving allegation. The incident occurred while the match official was travelling to oversee a professional football match.
The 41-year-old appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning, where he spoke only to confirm his name and address during the brief hearing. The case centres around an alleged dangerous driving incident involving Coote's BMW on February 18 this year.
The Incident Details
According to court documents, the alleged offence took place on the A52 Brian Clough Way in Nottingham. The road is a key route connecting the city to the M1 motorway and is frequently used by match officials travelling to games.
The charge states that Coote was "driving a motor vehicle on a road dangerously" when his black BMW collided with a white Citroen Berlingo van. The incident occurred as he was making his way to referee a professional fixture, though the specific match hasn't been disclosed.
Legal Proceedings and Adjournment
During the hearing, District Judge Sunil Khanna adjourned the case until October 8, when a plea and trial preparation hearing will take place. Coote was granted unconditional bail until that date.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for match officials in professional football, has been made aware of the proceedings. Coote remains on their roster of Select Group 1 referees who officiate Premier League matches.
Coote's Refereeing Career
David Coote has been a familiar face in English football for several seasons, having been promoted to the Select Group 1 list of referees in 2018. The Nottinghamshire-based official has taken charge of numerous high-profile Premier League matches and has also served as a VAR official in recent seasons.
His case continues as the football season approaches its conclusion, with officials typically taking a break during the summer months before the new campaign begins in August.
