David Coote was dismissed by refereeing body PGMOL in December; a video, which remains unverified, appearing to show Coote making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp was widely circulated on social media in November.
Coote has recently opened up about his struggles in an emotional interview, revealing that he turned to drugs as a coping mechanism due to the fear of coming out as gay while working as a Premier League referee. This interview marks his first public statement since being sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
The dismissal came after what was described as a “serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract,” leading officials to deem his position untenable. A significant aspect of the investigation involved a contentious video, which remains unverified, showing Coote making derogatory remarks about Liverpool FC and Klopp. This incident caught widespread attention after it was circulated on social media, adding fuel to the fire of a growing narrative around the treatment of referees in the football community.
In addition, the investigation extended to a second video that emerged in November, which allegedly depicted Coote snorting a white powder. This incident purportedly took place during Euro 2024, where he served as one of the assistant VARs. In response to these serious allegations, European football’s governing body UEFA appointed an ethics investigator to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding Coote’s conduct.
Coote also confronted allegations suggesting he had discussed issuing a yellow card prior to the match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in October 2019. The Football Association is actively investigating these claims, compounding the challenges Coote faces in the aftermath of his career as a referee.
In his candid interview with The Sun, Coote, now 42, expressed the profound sense of shame he felt throughout his formative years. He admitted, “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 emphasized that while his sexuality played a role in his mental health struggles, it was not the sole factor contributing to his predicament. “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.”
Coote elaborated on the emotional turmoil he experienced, stating, “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.” This dichotomy has led him down a troubling path of behavior that has taken a toll on his life both personally and professionally.
He reflected on the impact these issues have had on his self-esteem, intertwining his identity with his professional life. “I’m gay, and I’ve struggled with feeling proud of being ‘me’ over a long period of time,” he shared. The abuse he received throughout his career further complicated his emotional state. Coote noted, “I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.” This statement highlights the additional layer of stress that individuals in the public eye can experience, particularly those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, illustrating the necessity for greater understanding and support within sports environments.
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