Former Premier League referee David Coote reveals struggles with sexuality

Former Premier League referee David Coote has revealed he hid his sexuality throughout his career, fearing the abuse of being called gay. Coote, 42, also apologised for the actions that led to his sacking, following a series of controversies.

Coote was suspended in November 2024 after a shared video showed him making derogatory remarks about ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. Further allegations emerged when photos published by The Sun appeared to show Coote sniffing a white powder, reportedly during Euro 2024. He was dismissed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) last month.

In an interview with The Sun on Tuesday, Coote disclosed that he is gay, admitting he hid his sexuality due to fears of abuse. “I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref, and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult,” he said.

He reflected on his struggles, saying: “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 revealed that he had faced death threats, alongside his late mother, due to controversial on-pitch decisions, and used cocaine as an “escape route” from the pressures of his job. “It fills me with a huge sense of shame to say that I took that route,” he confessed.

In a separate statement, Coote expressed remorse: “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.”

His behaviour remains under investigation by the Football Association and UEFA. Coote’s sacking highlights the ongoing struggles faced by referees amid relentless abuse, a point echoed by openly gay former rugby referee Nigel Owens. Owens noted, “You just need to look at some of the comments on social media to understand why people still feel the need to live a lie.”

Coote’s admission adds to the broader conversation about representation and mental health in professional sports. Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, who came out as gay after retiring in 2014, remains one of the few openly gay figures in football.