David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has revealed he is gay and admitted to using cocaine as an escape from the pressures of his career.
Coote, 42, was sacked by the referees’ body PGMOL in December following an investigation into his conduct, which included leaked videos of him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, as well as appearing to take drugs.

Career and Sacking
Coote began officiating in the Premier League in April 2018 and refereed over 100 top-flight matches. However, his dismissal in December marked a significant fall from grace after nearly 30 years in refereeing.
Battling Stress and Addiction
Speaking publicly about his sacking for the first time, Coote admitted to using cocaine as a way to cope with the relentless demands of his profession.
“It’s not something I was reliant on day by day… but it was one of the escape routes I had,” he said. “Just getting away from the stresses, the relentlessness of the job. It fills me with a huge sense of shame.”
Coote revealed he struggled with the loss of his mother in 2023, in addition to juggling responsibilities at the U17 World Cup, the Paris Olympics, and Premier League matches.
Struggles with Sexuality
Coote also shared how hiding his sexuality contributed to his struggles, admitting to a “deep sense of shame” since his teenage years.

“I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25. I hid my emotions as a young ref and my sexuality as well — a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being.”
He described the toll of living a double life, explaining how football became a place to focus while his personal struggles festered in private. Coote emphasized the importance of seeking help:
“If you bottle it up like I have done, it has to come out in some way.”
Discrimination and Regret
Coote reflected on the abuse he faced throughout his career and the fear of adding his sexuality to the mix.
“I’ve received deeply unpleasant abuse as a ref. To add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”
He acknowledged the need for greater inclusivity in football and society to combat discrimination but admitted he wasn’t ready to publicly embrace his identity while still officiating.

“I didn’t want to put my head above the parapet to be shot at.”
Moving Forward
Coote described losing his refereeing job as “incredibly tough” but hopes his story can inspire others facing similar struggles.
“I’ve struggled with feeling proud of being ‘me’ for a long time. To others in my situation, I’d say seek help and talk to somebody.”
Despite his regrets, Coote concluded:
“I’m a human being who made a mistake in a moment I now deeply regret.”