Former Premier League referee David Coote has insisted that his drug use had no bearing on his on-pitch decisions.

The official said earlier this week that struggles with his sexuality contributed to the ‘really poor choices’ that led to his sacking

David Coote, the former Premier League referee sacked after making derogatory comments about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, has come out publicly as being gay and said that hiding his sexuality contributed to the behaviour that led to his dismissal.

Former Scottish footballer Zander Murray revealed to talkSPORT that David Coote reached out to him in 2022 when he first came out as gay. Murray, who retired in late 2023, became the first

Coote was initially suspended last October after footage emerged of him mocking ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Former Premier League referee David Coote has said he hid his sexuality during his career, fearing the abuse he would receive for being gay.

Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote says he hid his sexuality over fears of the abuse he would receive for being gay, apologising for the actions that led to

Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote says a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality contributed to “shameful” decisions which led to his sacking last year. Coote was in October initially suspended by the referees’ body,