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.

I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref,” he said. “And to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”

Former Premier League referee David Coote has apologised for the actions that led to his sacking last month by English soccer's referees' body PGMOL, saying that the pressure of the job and fear of abuse due to his sexuality triggered his behaviour.

Ex-referee David Coote comes out as gay and admits to ‘real struggles’ - He was suspended last October after footage emerged of him mocking ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

David Coote has come out as gay in his first interview since his dismissal as a Premier League referee last month, with the official opening up about his sexuality

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 “deserves” to have a continued role in English football, the chairman of the Referees’ Association has said.

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