The referee of the Premier League Sacked is called by former Gay footballer after revealing that he hid his sexuality for abuse of fear

The referee of the Premier League dishonored David Cooote has been criticized by a former Gay soccer player after revealing that he hid his sexuality for fear of being abused.

Cooote was fired by the PGMOL, the body of the referees, last year after appearing in several filtered videos, including one in which he insulted the former manager of Liverpool Jurgen Klopp. In another, it could be seen snorting a white dust.

Since then, the 42 -year -old has revealed that the struggles with his sexuality during his career led him to make the “really poor decisions” that resulted in his dismissal.

In his first interview from the high profile scandal, Cooote issued a public apology for his actions and left, saying that he wanted to break the 'macho world' of football.

'I have had problems around my self -esteem, and that is related to my sexuality. I am gay and I have fought to be proud to be 'I' for a long period of time, “Cooote told The sunThe publication that initially published the videos and condemnatory photos.

But Lianne Sanderson, former international of England and Gay athlete, accused Cooote of conducting the explosive interview for wrong reasons.

David Cooote has been criticized by a former gay soccer player after revealing that he hid his sexuality

Cooote came out publicly in an interview with The Sun and apologized for his actions

But Lianne Sanderson says that Coope

“David Cook opening on his sexuality and the moment really bothers me because he has 0 to do with his actions and why he was fired,” Sanderson published in X.

'We all make mistakes without a doubt, but this is simply incorrect and this kind of thing makes people in our community difficult to be accepted and taken seriously. It has the reverse effect (sic).

“Do the interview if you wish but throw in different parts then.”

Cooote, who officiated more than 100 first -level games, told The Sun: 'I felt a deep sense of shame during my teens in particular. I did not go out with my parents until 21 years. I didn't go out with my friends until 25 years.

'My sexuality is not the only reason that led me to be in that position.

'But I am not telling an authentic story if I do not say that I am gay, and that I have had real struggles dealing with hiding that.

'I hid my emotions as a young referee and also hid my sexuality, a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being.

“And that has led me to a whole course of behaviors.”

In a filtered video, Cooote was caught labeling the former head of the Liverpool Jurgen Klopp a 'C ***'

Cooote was also allegedly filmed by snorting a white power in another online published clip

Cooote said he was afraid to go out for the abuse I expected to receive, and added: “I received a deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a referee and adding my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”

The arbitration pressures at the top of the professional game saw him resort to drugs as a release, a decision that now laments deeply. “It is not something that depended on day to day, week by week, month by month,” Cooote said.

'I have had long periods in which I have not used it, but it was one of the escape routes I had. Just moving away from stress, the implacability of work. It fills me with a great feeling of shame to say that I took that route.

Cooote was suspended by the PGMol on November 11 and only a few days later, Sun released a video of him allegedly snorting a white substance while officiating in the 2024 Eurocup. This caused a new UEFA investigation.

He said he has been in an “incredibly dark place” since the footage was published and confirmed that the power that had been inhaled was cocaine.

“I don't recognize myself in the cocaine video,” Cooote said. 'I can't resonate how I felt then, but that was me. I was fighting with the schedule and there was no chance to stop. And then I found myself in that position, escaping.