Former Premier League ref explains how being closeted ultimately ruined his career
told The Sun.Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.“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 behaviors.”Those behaviors include verbally degrading one of the league’s now-former coaches, and apparent drug abuse.
Coote was suspended in November after video emerged of him lambasting ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, calling him “f*cking arrogant” and a “German c***”.Shortly thereafter, another video leaked of Coote sniffing white powder through a rolled up bank note last summer while he was working a high-profile tournament in Germany.
In the aforementioned interview, Coote appears to confirm he was snorting cocaine in the video. “I’ve had long periods where I’ve not used it—but it was one of the escape routes I had.
