Former Premier League referee David Coote has opened up about the personal struggles that led to his dismissal by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
The 42-year-old admitted that pressure, fear of abuse due to his sexuality, and personal tragedies contributed to his actions.
Coote, who officiated over 100 top-flight matches, was fired after videos emerged, including one where he allegedly used a white powder and another in which he insulted ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
In an interview, he confirmed much of the footage but provided deeper context, revealing the challenges he faced hiding his sexuality and dealing with external pressures.
Coote shared that he had long struggled with his self-esteem and identity as a gay man, which he concealed for much of his life.
“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. 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.
“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,” he stated.
He expressed that the fear of being openly gay in football, combined with the abuse he faced during his career, led to immense emotional strain.
“I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.
“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.
“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,” he said.
The Role of Pressure and Substance Use
Coote also acknowledged turning to drugs as an escape from the pressures of his job, especially following personal losses, including his mother’s death and his uncle’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease. While he denied being reliant on substances, he confessed that they provided a temporary escape from the stress of his career.
“It’s not something I was reliant on day by day, week by week, month by month,” he said.
“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.”
“I can’t resonate with how I felt then, but that was me. I was struggling with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I found myself in that position – escaping,” Coote added.
Coote is currently under investigation by the FA over allegations that he agreed to issue a yellow card to a player in exchange for financial gain, a claim he denies.
“There was no agreement prior to the game. I went and did my job. The player committed a yellow card tackle.
“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 said.
A separate UEFA investigation is also ongoing into a video showing Coote allegedly using cocaine while working as a VAR official during the Euro 2024 tournament.
Despite his dismissal and the ongoing inquiries, Coote has sought therapy and says he is working to rebuild his life.
Reflecting on his career and the events that led to its abrupt end, Coote admitted to feeling regret but said he is focused on improving his physical and mental well-being.
“I’m guilty of doing what I did, but I’m trying to be the best person that I can be now. I’ve taken steps to try and be the best I can be both from a physical and a mental wellbeing,” he said.
