Sacked referee David Coote says he hid sexuality due to 'macho' football culture

The sacked Premier League referee David Coote says he turned to cocaine because being involved in the “macho world” of football forced him to hide his sexuality.

Coote was suspended last year after footage of him emerged using foul language to describe the former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Then a video was made public of him snorting what appeared to be white powder. These incidents he’s described as “private moments taken during very low times in my life”.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper he confronted his drug-taking.

“I’ve had long periods where I’ve not used it — but it was one of the escape routes I had. Just getting away from the stresses, the relentlessness of the job. It fills me with a huge sense of shame to say that I took that route.”

Coote explained in the interview how not coming out as gay contributed to his current predicament: “I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality 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 behaviours.”

In a statement to ITV News, Coote described how difficult he’s found it dealing with recent events.

Former Premier League referee David Coote has spoken about his lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality. / Credit: PA

“This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me. I am truly sorry for any offence caused by my actions and for the negative spotlight it put on the game that I love. I hope people will understand that they were private moments taken during very low times in my life. They do not reflect who I am today or what I think.

“My focus now is on continuing to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing. I hope that my experiences, both on and off the field, can be utilised in football at some point in the future.

“Finally, I want to thank everyone who has supported me recently, in particular my family, friends, former colleagues, PGMOL and Howard Webb, and countless people across football. Special thanks also to the many strangers who have reached out with words of encouragement and support, I have appreciated it more than I can properly express.”