Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote says he hid his sexuality over fears of the abuse he would obtain for being homosexual, apologising for the actions that led to his sacking.
Coote, 42, was suspended in November after footage emerged of him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in a video that was broadly shared on social media.
Additional pictures shared by the Solar newspaper in November, which the newspaper mentioned have been taken throughout Euro 2024, appeared to indicate Coote sniffing a white powder by means of a rolled-up financial institution be aware.
He was dismissed by referees physique Skilled Sport Match Officers Restricted (PGMOL) final month.
In an interview with the Solar revealed on Tuesday, Coote revealed he’s homosexual.
“I’ve acquired deeply disagreeable abuse throughout my profession as a ref and so as to add my sexuality to that will have been actually tough,” he mentioned.
He added: “I hid my feelings as a younger ref and I hid my sexuality as effectively — a superb high quality as a referee however a horrible high quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a complete course of behaviours.”
Coote mentioned he and his late mom had acquired demise threats following choices he had made on the pitch and cited his personal instance to indicate how relentless abuse from the stands and on social media may affect the psychological well being of officers.
– ‘Escape route’ –
Coote informed the Solar he had used cocaine as an “escape route”.
“I’ve had lengthy intervals the place I’ve not used it -— however it was one of many escape routes I had,” he mentioned.
“Simply getting away from the stresses, the relentlessness of the job. It fills me with an enormous sense of disgrace to say that I took that route.”
In a separate assertion launched late on Monday, Coote mentioned he had been by means of probably the most tough intervals of his life.
“I take full accountability for my actions, which fell method beneath what was anticipated of me,” he mentioned.
“I’m really sorry for any offence attributable to my actions and for the adverse highlight it placed on the sport that I really like. I hope folks will perceive that they have been personal moments taken throughout very low occasions in my life. They don’t replicate who I’m right this moment or what I believe.”
Coote’s contract was terminated by the PGMOL in December following its investigation into the preliminary video, by which he used offensive language about Klopp.
His behaviour is below investigation by the Soccer Affiliation and European governing physique UEFA.
Former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger got here out in 2014 after his profession ended however there has not been an lively out homosexual footballer taking part in within the Premier League.
Former worldwide rugby referee Nigel Owens, who got here out as homosexual in 2007, mentioned he understands why Coote hid his sexuality.
“Folks surprise why we’re nonetheless speaking about this, why persons are nonetheless needing to dwell the lie,” he informed the BBC. “You simply want to take a look at a number of the feedback on there (social media) that are completely unbelievable.”
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