Former Premier League referee David Coote has insisted that his drug use had no bearing on his on-pitch decisions.

Coote was in October initially suspended by the referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), after a video of him calling ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp “arrogant” and a “German c***” circulated on social media.

David Coote was sacked as a Premier League referee in December, but the 42-year-old has been tipped for a return to football in some capacity after opening up about his struggles

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.

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 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 was dismissed last year 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 David Coote comes out as gay,

Former Premier League referee David Coote has said he hid his sexuality during his career, fearing the abuse he would receive for being gay.