David Coote’s Apology: A Deep Dive into the Pressures and Challenges Faced by Referees
In a candid and heartfelt revelation, former Premier League referee David Coote has opened up about the circumstances that led to his dismissal last month by England referees’ body PGMOL. Coote, who was a familiar face on the pitch, officiating more than 100 top-flight games, has apologized for his actions, attributing them to the immense pressure of the job and the fear of abuse due to his sexuality.
Coote’s career came to an abrupt halt when he was fired after being suspended in November. This followed a video that circulated on social media, allegedly showing him abusing Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. The 42-year-old has since come forward, admitting that a fear of coming out as gay led him to turn to drugs, and he confessed, “I was not sober” at the time of the incident.
In an interview with The Sun, Coote expressed his remorse, stating, “I want to apologise to anybody who I’ve offended by my actions. You can tell by the video I wasn’t sober.” He further elaborated on the challenges he faced, saying, “I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”
Coote’s struggle with his sexuality was not the sole reason for his actions, but he emphasized its impact on his life, saying, “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.”
He reflected on his past, noting, “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.”
The Incident and Its Aftermath
Coote’s suspension by PGMOL on Nov. 11 was just the beginning of a series of events that would unfold. The controversy escalated when The Sun released a video allegedly showing him snorting white powder while officiating at Euro 2024, which prompted a new UEFA investigation.
Reflecting on the difficult period, Coote shared, “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.” He admitted, “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.”
Coote expressed his disappointment over the incident, saying, “I received nothing for it. I’m really disappointed that anything like this has come out because it tarnishes the integrity of the game.”
Moving Forward: A Message of Hope and Healing
Having undergone therapy, Coote claims to be over his drug habit, though he still feels a sense of shame over his past actions. He stated, “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’s message to others in similar situations is one of encouragement and support. “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,” he advised.
The Human Side of Refereeing
Coote also highlighted the relentless abuse referees face, both from the stands and on social media, and its impact on their mental health. “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.”
- Coote’s story sheds light on the pressures faced by referees.
- His candid admission highlights the need for mental health support.
- His journey serves as a reminder of the human side of sports.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
