Ex-Premier League referee David Coote apologises for actions that led to his sacking: 'I take full responsibility'

David Coote, the former Premier League referee who was sacked from his position after videos emerged of him insulting the then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and allegedly snorting cocaine, has made a shocking revelation about his personal life. In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Coote disclosed that he is gay and has been hiding his sexuality for years, which led to feelings of anxiety and contributed to his poor decision-making .

He also apologised for his offensive actions last year that included abusing former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

David Coote comes out, apologises for actions

Coote, who was widely respected for his officiating in the Premier League, explained that the pressure of hiding his sexuality contributed to a series of poor decisions that eventually cost him his career. He also acknowledged that his sexuality is not the sole reason for his past mistakes but emphasized the importance of authenticity in sharing his story.

“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,” Coote was quoted as saying.

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“My sexuality 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 added.

David Coote's downfall began last October when he was suspended for using abusive language towards then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp . Further controversy emerged when footage surfaced of him snorting cocaine at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.

Coote said that he is sorry for committing the offence which hampered the footballing community. “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,” he said in a statement.

“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,” added Coote.

Additional allegations surfaced, including an attempt to organize a drug-fueled party during the Carabao Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City on 30 October. Coote was subsequently subjected to a new investigation by the Football Association (FA) over claims that he had issued a yellow card under questionable circumstances.

Coote admits to using cocaine but denies involvement in betting incident

Coote admitted to using cocaine as an escape from the stresses of his demanding schedule, which saw him officiate over 90 games in a year, including high-profile tournaments like the Euros and Olympics. Coote explained that while he wasn’t reliant on the drug, it became a way to cope with the relentless pressure and the sudden loss of his mother.

Coote also addressed a separate investigation into a potential breach of integrity, where he was allegedly involved in a betting incident related to a yellow card for Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski during a 2019 match. He denied any wrongdoing, stating that there was no prior agreement to influence the booking.

“There was no agreement prior to the game. I went and did my job. The player committed a yellow card tackle,” Coote said.

“I received nothing for it. I’m really disappointed that anything like this has come out because it tarnishes the integrity of the game. And whatever people think of me as a referee, as a human I have always gone out and done my best on the pitch,” he added.

Reflecting on his actions, Coote expressed regret over his choices, acknowledging that he had been in a “dark place” and made poor decisions, including trusting the wrong people. However, after seeking therapy, he has now overcome his drug habit and accepted responsibility for his actions, expressing a desire to move forward and rebuild his life.