Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote says he hid his sexuality over fears of the abuse he would obtain for being homosexual, apologising for the actions that led to his sacking.
Coote, 42, was suspended in November after footage emerged of him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in a video that was extensively shared on social media.
Additional pictures shared by the Solar newspaper in November, which the newspaper stated had been taken throughout Euro 2024, appeared to indicate Coote sniffing a white powder via a rolled-up financial institution be aware.
He was dismissed by referees physique Skilled Recreation Match Officers Restricted (PGMOL) final month.
In an interview with the Solar revealed on Tuesday, Coote revealed he’s homosexual.
“I’ve acquired deeply disagreeable abuse throughout my profession as a ref and so as to add my sexuality to that will have been actually tough,” he stated.
He added: “I hid my feelings as a younger ref and I hid my sexuality as nicely — an excellent high quality as a referee however a horrible high quality as a human being. And that is led me to an entire course of behaviours.”
Coote stated he and his late mom had acquired dying threats following selections he had made on the pitch and cited his personal instance to indicate how relentless abuse from the stands and on social media may influence the psychological well being of officers.
– ‘Escape route’ –
Coote advised the Solar he had used cocaine as an “escape route”.
“I’ve had lengthy durations the place I’ve not used it -— nevertheless it was one of many escape routes I had,” he stated.
“Simply getting away from the stresses, the relentlessness of the job. It fills me with an enormous sense of disgrace to say that I took that route.”
In a separate assertion launched late on Monday, Coote stated he had been via one of the crucial tough durations of his life.
“I take full duty for my actions, which fell method under what was anticipated of me,” he stated.
“I’m actually sorry for any offence brought on by my actions and for the unfavorable highlight it placed on the sport that I like. I hope folks will perceive that they had been personal moments taken throughout very low occasions in my life. They don’t replicate who I’m immediately or what I feel.”
Coote’s contract was terminated by the PGMOL in December following its investigation into the preliminary video, during which he used offensive language about Klopp.
His behaviour is beneath investigation by the Soccer Affiliation and European governing physique UEFA.
Former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger got here out in 2014 after his profession ended however there has not been an energetic out homosexual footballer enjoying within the Premier League.
Former worldwide rugby referee Nigel Owens, who got here out as homosexual in 2007, stated he understands why Coote hid his sexuality.
“Folks marvel why we’re nonetheless speaking about this, why individuals are nonetheless needing to dwell the lie,” he advised the BBC. “You simply want to take a look at a number of the feedback on there (social media) that are completely unbelievable.”
jw/jc
