David Coote, the former Premier League referee sacked after making derogatory comments about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, has come out publicly as being gay and said that hiding his sexuality contributed to the behaviour that led to his dismissal.

Former Premier League referee David Coote has apologised for the actions that led to his sacking last month by English soccer's referees' body PGMOL, saying that the pressure of the job and fear of abuse due to his sexuality triggered his behaviour.

Coote was initially suspended last October after footage emerged of him mocking ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

David Coote has come out as gay in his first interview since his dismissal as a Premier League referee last month, with the official opening up about his sexuality

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

Coote apologized for his past behavior, including negative comments about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, and acknowledged his drug use.

Former Premier League referee David Coote has come out as gay. He's revealed that struggling to hide his sexuality contributed to the offensive rant that got him dismissed last year.

Former Premier League referee, David Coote, has come out as gay and explained why he took cocaine as an “escape route” from his “real struggles”.

David Coote was dismissed in December after six years as an elite referee. He says he is ‘sorry’ for the actions that led to his downfall. The post Former Premier League referee, fired from his job for drug use,

Former Premier League referee David Coote has come out as gay in his first interview since being dismissed by PGMOL last month. The 42-year-old broke his silence in an emotional conversation with The Sun,