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.

David Coote “deserves” to have a continued role in English football, the chairman of the Referees’ Association has said. Coote’s contract as an elite-level referee with Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) was terminated last month after a video emerged showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.

Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote says he hid his sexuality over fears of the abuse he would receive for being gay, apologising for the actions that led to

Former Premier League referee, David Coote has apologised to Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp for making derogatory comments about the Reds and the German. Coote was sacked by referees’ body PGMOL last December after an investigation into his conduct was concluded.

Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote says a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality contributed to “shameful” decisions which led to his sacking last year. Coote was in October initially suspended by the referees’ body,

David Coote was sacked by the PGMOL in December after controversial videos of the ex-Premier League referee went viral, but he has revealed his plans to remain on TV screens