Category sport-news

Ex-Premier League Referee Coote Charged With Making Indecent Child Image

By in News, sport-news

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent image of a child.

Coote, 43, was sacked from his officiating role in December after a video showing him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in 2020 came to light.

(from L) German football coach and global head of Football at Red Bull, Jurgen Klopp, Paris FC’s French President,Pierre Ferracci, French representative of the Agache family holding company, Antoine Arnault, Pfc’ assistant sport director, Quentin Rauzier and German football player and member of the board of Paris football Club, Mario Gomez pose ahead of the French L1 football match between Paris FC and FC Metz at the Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris on August 31, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

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The charge of making an indecent image of a child refers to activities such as downloading, sharing, or saving abuse photos or videos.

Coote, who was charged on August 12 and is on conditional bail, is set to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The allegation relates to a video recovered by officers from Nottinghamshire Police in February, the force said.

Coote was also banned from officiating by European governing body UEFA until June 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for Euro 2024.

In a January interview he came out as gay and said his struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to bad choices.

Bolivia Edge Brazil To Grab 2026 World Cup Play-Off Spot

By in News, sport-news

Bolivia kept their 2026 World Cup dream alive by snatching a play-off place with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in El Alto on Tuesday, taking advantage of Venezuela’s home defeat to Colombia.

Miguel Terceros’s penalty on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference for Bolivia against the five-time world champions, in a match played 4,150 metres above sea level.

The victory dragged Bolivia above Venezuela into seventh place in the final standings of South American qualifying, earning them a berth in next year’s continental play-offs for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Venezuela, who were hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, held a one-point lead over Bolivia heading into the last round of matches, but were beaten 6-3 at home by Colombia.

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“We’re very happy, but we need to keep our feet on the ground, knowing that we have to keep fighting,” said Bolivian coach Oscar Villegas.

Two nations will qualify for the World Cup from the six-team play-off tournament to be held next March, reportedly in Mexico.

Bolivia are hoping to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since a group-stage exit from the 1994 edition in the USA.

Bolivia’s midfielder #17 Roberto Fernandez and Brazil’s forward #20 Estevao fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Bolivia and Brazil, at the Municipal de El Alto stadium, in El Alto, La Paz department, Bolivia on September 9, 2025. (Photo by Daniel MIRANDA / AFP)

Their victory on Tuesday sparked wild celebrations on the streets of the major city of La Paz, which neighbours El Alto.

Reigning champions Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay had all already secured automatic tickets to the World Cup.

Elsewhere in the final round of games, Argentina lost 1-0 in Ecuador, Paraguay beat Peru 1-0 in Lima, while Chile and Uruguay played out a goalless draw.