Former Top Referee David Coote Apologizes After Scandal and Announces He Is Gay

David Coote, dismissed in December over misconduct, opens up about his struggles with addiction, private controversies, and his sexuality in a candid interview.

• David Coote, a former English Premier League referee, was fired in December 2024 after investigations into multiple personal misconduct incidents.
• A private video from 2020 surfaced showing Coote making offensive remarks about Jürgen Klopp, leading to his dismissal by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
• Another video from July 2024 allegedly showed Coote using cocaine during the UEFA European Championship in Germany, which he admitted was part of poor personal decisions influenced by hidden struggles.
• In a recent interview, Coote publicly came out as gay, discussing years of emotional suppression, shame, and the impact on his behavior and mental health.
• Coote denied involvement in match-fixing despite allegations of inappropriate communications and expressed regret for his actions, urging others facing similar issues to seek help.

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