Fired referee David Coote comes out as gay, cites hidden sexuality for past behavior

Former Premier League referee David Coote has publicly come out as gay, revealing that his struggles with his sexuality contributed to his recent inappropriate behavior, which led to his dismissal from officiating. Coote, who was fired in December after videos emerged showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and allegedly using cocaine, expressed regret over his actions and the impact of hiding his true self. He noted that the fear of facing additional abuse due to his sexuality significantly affected his mental health and decision-making. In interviews, Coote shared that he had received considerable abuse throughout his refereeing career, which compounded his feelings of shame and self-esteem issues. He admitted to being