Former Referee David Coote Reflects on Career, Abuse, and Personal Struggles

David Coote discusses his dismissal, struggles with sexuality, drug use, and hopes for a future role in football.

David Coote, a former Premier League referee, was dismissed by PGMOL after videos showed him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool, taking cocaine, and discussing a yellow card incident with a Leeds fan.
Coote revealed he hid his sexuality during his career due to fears of abuse, which he says contributed to his poor decisions and mental health struggles.
He denied allegations of spot-fixing, stating that his actions during the 2019 Leeds match were not premeditated and that he received no financial benefit.
The chairman of the Referees’ Association expressed support for Coote, highlighting his contributions to mentoring young officials and advocating for his continued involvement in English football in a non-public role.
Coote apologized for his actions, emphasizing his commitment to mental health and expressing hope to use his experiences to benefit the sport in the future.