A recently sacked English Premier League (EPL) referee, David Coote, has publicly revealed that he’s a homosexual.
TheNewsGuru recalls that Coote was sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following an investigation into allegations regarding his behavior.
His ban was prompted following a viral video which captured the moment Coote was making derogatory remarks about Liverpool Football Club and their former manager, Jurgen Klopp.
Also, a photo was published by The Sun, depicting Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled-up US bank note.
However, Coote, in an interview with The Sun, shared that he struggled with feeling proud of his sexuality, fearing the abuse he would receive for being homosexual.
He revealed that he hid his emotions and sexuality during his career, which led to a “whole course of behaviours” that ultimately contributed to his downfall.
The 42-year-old former referee said the pressure of his work contributed to the behaviour that led to his sacking.
He said, “I’m gay and I have struggled with feeling proud of being ‘me’ over a long period of time.
“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 is not the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I do not say that I am 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. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.”
In a statement on Monday, Coote apologised for his behaviour, describing the moment as “one of the most difficult periods of my life”.
“This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me.,” the statement reads in part.
“I am truly sorry for any offence caused by my actions and for the negative spotlight it put on the game that I love. I hope people will understand that they were private moments taken during very low times in my life. They do not reflect who I am today or what I think.”