Home » Fired Premier League ref David Coote apologizes for viral video

Fired Premier League ref David Coote apologizes for viral video

Former Premier League referee David Coote apologizes for his actions following his viral video insulting ex-Liverpool boss Jorgen Klopp.

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Coote apologizes for his actions

A leaked video of Coote criticizing Klopp led to his dismissal last month by England’s refereeing body, PGMOL.

Coote, who officiated over 100 top-flight games, said that the pressure of the job and fear of abuse related to his sexuality triggered his behavior.

The 42-year-old added that his fear of coming out as gay drove him to turn to drugs.

“I want to apologize to anybody who I’ve offended by my actions. You can tell by the video I wasn’t sober,” Coote told The Sun in an interview released on Monday.

“I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”

“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.”

“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.”

Coote opens up about his struggles

The Sun released a video allegedly showing him snorting a white powder while officiating at EURO 2024, prompting a new UEFA investigation.

Coote admitted he had been in an “incredibly dark place” since the video’s publication, struggling with the pressure of his workload.

“In 2023 I lost my mum very suddenly. At the same time my uncle was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. After COVID and the introduction of VAR, six officials were suddenly needed for each game,” Coote said.

He added: “I don’t recognise myself in the cocaine video. I can’t resonate with how I felt then, but that was me. I was struggling with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I found myself in that position, escaping.”

“I received nothing for it. I’m really disappointed that anything like this has come out because it tarnishes the integrity of the game.”

The former referee said he still felt shame over his actions, despite overcoming his drug habit.

“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,” Coote said.

“To other people who are in my situation, I’d say seek help and talk to somebody because if you bottle it up like I have done, it has to come out in some way.”

Referees have feelings

Coote also cited his own experience to illustrate how relentless abuse from the stands and on social media can impact the mental health of 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 said.

“They have feelings. They may not show them, but it will impact them when they’re receiving abuse. I’ve struggled and I’ve tried to get through it in my own way and made poor decisions in doing so.”

“I received nothing for it. I’m really disappointed that anything like this has come out because it tarnishes the integrity of the game.”