Referee David Coote felt 'ashamed' and experienced 'really dark days' after video leaked
Referee David Coote felt 'ashamed' and experienced 'really dark days' after video leaked
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The official said earlier this week that struggles with his sexuality contributed to the ‘really poor choices’ that led to his sacking. Former Premier League referee David Coote said he felt "ashamed" of the behaviour that led to his sacking in December for being found to be in breach of his employment contract.
He was provisionally suspended by referees' body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), in November. In an interview with The Sun this week he said that struggles with his sexuality contributed to the "really poor choices" that eventually led to his dismissal.
Asked about his experience since the story first broke, he told Sky Sports it had been "harder than I can probably express". He 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 and yeah, it was really, really tough.". Coote has denied a further allegation that he had made an agreement with a friend to award a yellow card to Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski during a Championship match against West Brom in 2019, though he remains under investigation by the FA over the claims.
