David Coote, a well-regarded referee, recently had his contract terminated after derogatory comments about Liverpool and drug-related issues surfaced. He publicly came out as gay, attributing past poor decisions to the pressure of concealing his sexuality. Paul Field, chair of the Referees' Association (RA), defended Coote, highlighting his invaluable work with young officials and his potential role in coaching and mentoring. Coote remains optimistic about the future, awaiting results from an investigation into previous messages while emphasizing the mental strain of the abuse he has faced.
Paul Field, chair of the Referees' Association, emphasized that David Coote is an exemplary mentor and contributes significantly to the development of grassroots officials.
Coote's past choices were heavily influenced by the pressures of concealing his sexuality, leading to public mistakes and substance use.
The Referees' Association believes Coote has much to offer to English football, particularly through mentoring and coaching roles.
Despite facing significant mental strain and public scrutiny, Coote remains optimistic about his future in officiating.
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