Referee David Coote has revealed that he turned to cocaine for fear of coming out in the “Macho world” of the Premier League.
Fulfilled Coote said he took cola to “escape” after he was forced to hide to be gay.
Coote also admitted that he was 'not sober' in his anger at ex-livepool boss Jurgen Klopp, and received abuse and death threats as ref.
The fired 42-year-old told how Living Lie led him on paths that eventually torpedoed his career.
Coote said The Sun: “I felt a deep feeling of shame during my teenage years in particular.
“I didn't come to my parents until I was 21. I only came to my friends at 25.
“My sexuality is not the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I don't tell an authentic story if I don't say that I am gay, and that I have had real struggles to hide that.
“I hurry my emotions like a young ref and I also hide my sexuality – a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a person.
“And that led me to a whole course of behavior.”
He says that he has been in an “incredibly dark place” since the news about his drugs at Euro 2024. Without the support of family and colleagues, he added: “I am not sure if I would be here today”.
He gave his first interview since the scandal broke, he said he hoped to help break down the “Macho world” of Premier League football.
He added: “I had problems with my self-respect and that relates to my sexuality. I am gay and I have had trouble feeling proud that I am 'I' for a long period.
“During my career as a ref I received very unpleasant abuse and my sexuality that adding would have been very difficult.
“There is much to do throughout football and broader in society with regard to discrimination.
“I didn't want to be that person who placed their heads above the parapet to shoot, given the abuse that we all get as a referee at least.”
Coote was suspended last October after images showed him that the then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp called a “C ***”.
The sun then unveiled a film from him that sniffed powder at last summer's euros in Germany.
We also told how he tried to arrange a drug party during the Carabao Cup victory of Spurs on Man City on October 30.
Coote was then the subject of a new FA probe about supposed to be issued of a yellow card to order – before he was finally fired.
In an emotional interview he says a “pressure cooker” of suppressed emotion, combined with a punitive work schedule, he let him “escape” with cocaine.
He said: “It is not something that I was dependent from day after day, week after week, month after month.
“I had long periods in which I didn't use it – but it was one of the escape routes that I had. Just get away from the stress, the ruthlessness of the work. It fulfills me with a huge sense of shame to say that I have taken that route. '
He remembered: “In 2023 I lost my mother very suddenly. At the same time, my uncle was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. After Covid and the introduction of VAR, six officials were suddenly needed for each match.
“I was selected by FIFA for the U17 World Cup in Indonesia, as well as the euros and Olympic Games last year.
“It meant that in the course of the 2023-24 season I was involved in more than 90 matches of back to back. At the end of last season I immediately went into the euros and that was incredibly under pressure. I immediately had a tournament – on my way to Paris for the Olympic Games. “
The Cocaine images saw him inhale a 4 arrangement in an American banknote. Another image showed his bank card next to six chopped lines.
He said: “I don't recognize myself in the cocaine video. I can't resonate with how I felt then, but that was me. I struggled with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I was in that position – escaping. '
Coote is still being investigated after a friend told him that he had booked money to the Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski, booked for a Clash 2019 against West Brom.
Coote warned the player and later sent his friend a message: “I hope you have put yourself behind as discussed.” However, he said to the sun: “There was no agreement prior to the game. I went and did my job. The player committed a yellow card equipment. “
He added: “I didn't receive anything for it. I am really disappointed that something like that came out because it affects the integrity of the game. And whatever people regard from me as a referee, as a person I have always gone out and did my best on the field. “
Coote says he just tried to 'bend' the friend, but admitted: 'I was not in a great place, and I was sent to people that I should not have trusted in retrospect. I was naive. “Coote says that he” made some really bad choices and I really wanted me to turn the clock back now and do things differently “.
But he said he can take responsibility instead. After searching for therapy, he kicked his drug habit
Coote said: “I put on this hard exterior. Football became a place where I could go and the referee could go and be confiscated in the game.
“But then I would come home and it would be harder because I live a double feeling.
“To other people who are in my situation, I would say to seek help and talk to someone, because if you save it the way I did, it must come out somehow.”
'Bad choices'
Coote believes that the dramatic events that have cost him his beloved job in football have helped him take stock.
He said: “It was incredibly difficult because I loved the game. I started referee when I was 14.
“I found it easier because I knew my fate and is able to evaluate what is important to me.
“To spend some quality time with family and friends, and to take the time to ensure that I am in the best place to get ahead.”
Comments