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

Coote was in October initially suspended by the referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), after a video of him calling ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp “arrogant” and a “German c***” circulated on social media.

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

David Coote was sacked as a Premier League referee in December, but the 42-year-old has been tipped for a return to football in some capacity after opening up about his struggles

David Coote was sacked by the PGMOL last year after a video of him criticising Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp emerged

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