In a candid and emotional interview, former Premier League referee David Coote has publicly apologized for the actions that led to his high-profile dismissal by England’s Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December. The veteran official, who oversaw more than 100 top-flight matches, opened up about his personal struggles and the immense pressure he faced both on and off the pitch.
Coote’s termination came on the heels of a viral video allegedly showing him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. The 42-year-old referee admitted to not being “sober” at the time of the incident, highlighting the depths of his inner turmoil.
A Secret Burden
In a remarkable revelation, Coote shared that he is gay and had long grappled with concealing his sexuality out of fear of compounding the already “deeply unpleasant abuse” he endured throughout his refereeing career. “I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well, a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being,” he confessed.
“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that.”
David Coote, former Premier League referee
Mounting Pressure and Personal Loss
Coote pointed to a confluence of factors that pushed him to an “incredibly dark place,” including the sudden loss of his mother in 2023, his uncle’s motor neurone disease diagnosis, and the demanding referee schedule exacerbated by COVID-19 and the introduction of VAR. “I was struggling with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I found myself in that position, escaping,” he admitted.
The Road to Recovery
Despite his regrets, Coote emphasized that he has taken steps to overcome his drug habit and prioritize his well-being. “I’m guilty of doing what I did, but I’m trying to be the best person that I can be now. I’ve taken steps to try and be the best I can be both from a physical and a mental wellbeing,” he assured, encouraging others facing similar challenges to seek help and support.
A Plea for Empathy
Reflecting on his own experiences, Coote called for greater understanding of the human toll of abuse directed at officials. “Every official that takes to the pitch up and down the country from a local playing field to the Premier League is a human being, not just a referee,” he emphasized. “They have feelings. They may not show them, but it will impact them when they’re receiving abuse.”
“I want to apologise to anybody who I’ve offended by my actions. You can tell by the video I wasn’t sober. I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”
David Coote, former Premier League referee
As Coote embarks on a new chapter, his stark admissions serve as a poignant reminder of the unseen struggles facing those tasked with enforcing the laws of the game. His story underscores the urgent need for a cultural shift in how referees are perceived and treated, both within the sport and by the wider public.
