Disgraced Premier League Referee David Coote Reveals Struggles with Identity and Hidden Secrets

Former Premier League referee David Coote has courageously revealed his homos*xuality and admitted to using cocaine as a means of escape in a heartfelt interview. Coote’s professional career came to an abrupt halt last year after he was found to have “seriously breached” his contract with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

The termination followed the emergence of a video where Coote was heard cursing Liverpool and derogatorily referring to manager Jurgen Klopp. The controversy deepened when another video surfaced showing Coote allegedly snorting a white powder just hours after officiating as a VAR official during Euro 2024. These incidents ultimately led to his suspension and subsequent dismissal from the refereeing body.

Now, Coote has chosen to speak out about the personal struggles that contributed to his downfall. In an interview with The Sun, Coote shared, “I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular. I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25.”

He explained that his fear of coming out in the “macho world” of the Premier League drove him to seek solace in cocaine. “My s*xuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that,” he stated.

Coote further elaborated on the emotional burden he carried, saying, “I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my s*xuality as well — a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviors.” These revelations highlight the intense pressures faced by individuals in high-stress, high-visibility roles and the impact of suppressing one’s true self, as reported by the New York Times.

Following the release of the video insulting Liverpool and Klopp, Coote was immediately suspended, and his termination was officially announced last month. A PGMOL spokesperson commented at the time, “David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable. Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare. David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”

The Football Association (FA) also launched its own investigation into Coote’s comments, focusing on whether his remarks about Klopp’s nationality constituted a severe breach of their misconduct rules. Additionally, UEFA appointed an ethics investigator to examine the allegations of cocaine use during Euro 2024.

Coote had previously denied accusations related to his professional conduct. He stated, “I strongly refute these false and defamatory allegations. Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”

The FA has since initiated a betting probe into the claims, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. “These are very serious allegations and we are investigating as a matter of urgency,” the FA stated.

David Coote’s revelations shed light on the personal battles behind public figures and the critical need for support systems within high-pressure environments. As he navigates the aftermath of his refereeing career, Coote’s honesty serves as a poignant reminder of the human side of professional sports.