David Coote: "I Hid My Sexuality Due to Fear of Abuse"

David Coote, 42, a former Premier League referee, revealed that he hid his sexuality throughout his career, fearing the abuse he would face for being gay. In an interview with The Sun, Coote shared that the pressure of his job contributed to his behavior, leading to his dismissal from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December. Coote, who officiated over 100 top-flight games, admitted to struggling with pride over his identity and facing constant abuse during his career.

He expressed that adding his sexuality to the abuse would have been even more difficult. Coote apologized for the actions that led to his sacking, acknowledging that they fell short of expectations and caused harm to the sport he loves. He clarified that his misconduct occurred during low points in his life and does not reflect his current self. He also opened up about the challenges of being gay, noting the deep shame he felt as a teenager.

David Coote only came out to his parents at 21 and friends at 25. Reflecting on his refereeing career, Coote explained that he hid both his emotions and sexuality, believing it to be essential for his job but harmful to his personal life. His struggles continued as he faced death threats during his career and had to take extra safety precautions including an emergency contact system at home.

Coote’s troubles intensified after a video surfaced in November of him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp. He apologized, admitting he was not sober at the time. Further allegations about his behavior surfaced including drug-related photos from the 2021 European Championship. Coote now says he’s overcome his issues with therapy and urges others facing similar struggles to seek help.