David Coote Opens Up About His Dismissal and Drug Use
In a candid and revealing interview, former Premier League referee David Coote has spoken out about the circumstances surrounding his recent sacking, his drug use, and the personal struggles that led to his actions. Coote, who was dismissed by England’s referee body PGMOL last month, has insisted that his drug use did not influence his on-pitch decisions, despite the controversy that has surrounded him.
Coote’s dismissal came after a suspension in November for being “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract.” This followed the circulation of a video on social media allegedly showing Coote making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jürgen Klopp. The situation escalated when a second video appeared, showing Coote snorting a white powder, purportedly during the 2024 European Championship where he served as one of the assistant VARs. In response, European football’s governing body UEFA has appointed an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
In an interview with Sky Sports News, Coote, 42, addressed whether his drug use affected his ability to make “clear and concise decisions during matches.” He stated, “I can understand why [people] may think that way. However, I do want to make it clear that this was really personal for me. It was around my responses to coping with pressure and it was postgame without an implication on my work. I don’t condone it for one instance of course. I regret taking those actions. I made really poor choices at that time.”
Coote’s suspension by PGMOL on Nov. 11 was a turning point, and the release of the second video by UK newspaper The Sun only added to the controversy. Reflecting on this period, Coote said, “In the first instances, it was a real shock and then as things gathered pace in terms of other stories that came to light, it was really, really hard. In that moment and in those first days, they were really dark because I felt embarrassed and ashamed at what I’ve done over the course of time. The situation that I found myself in meant that I really had to rely on people’s support to get me through. Otherwise, genuinely, I don’t know that I’d be here.”
Coote also revealed the depth of his personal struggles, admitting, “In that first week, I had suicidal thoughts and I didn’t get close to acting on those, but at that time, that was really tough and a lot of people reached out to me on a frequent basis because they were concerned about my welfare. A lot of things that I really regret either doing or saying all came to light in the space of a week or so, when in fact, a lot of them were over the course of four or five years ago. In my head, I’d put them to bed and forgotten they even existed. To then find myself facing what they were just reignited some really difficult times and some really tough thoughts.”
Coote expressed regret over his comments referencing Klopp’s German nationality in the video and acknowledged the possibility that he may never referee again. “I accepted my fate immediately, with the PGMOL as well,” he said. “I want to take ownership of my actions. I think that’s important. I want to apologise to those who are offended by what I said and were offended but I want to now try and live my life to the values that are truly me and to the best of my ability moving forward.”
- Coote was suspended by PGMOL on Nov. 11.
- UEFA has appointed an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
- Coote had suicidal thoughts during the first week of the controversy.
As Coote navigates this challenging chapter of his life, his story serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by those in high-profile positions and the importance of seeking help when needed. His candidness about his struggles and his commitment to moving forward with integrity may offer a path to redemption, both personally and professionally.
Originally Written by: ESPN
