David Coote, a former Premier League referee, opened up about hiding his sexuality during his career due to fear of abuse. He expressed deep-seated shame regarding his identity and acknowledged the emotional toll this secrecy took on him. Coote, who officiated over 100 top-flight games, shared that the stress of his job contributed to behaviors leading to his dismissal from PGMOL. He also highlighted receiving death threats and noted how his experience reflects broader issues of abuse in the sport, particularly concerning referee Michael Oliver.
I'm gay and I have struggled with feeling proud of being 'me' over a long period of time. I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.
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 behaviours.
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