Former Premier League referee David Coote comes out as gay

He has spoken out in his first interview since being sacked

Coote was subsequently sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December.

The 42-year-old opened up to The Sun about his struggles with his sexuality, as well as the abuse he received as a referee.

"I'm gay and I have struggled with feeling proud of being 'me' over a long period of time," he told the outlet.

"I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult."

He continued: "I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular.

"I didn't come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn't come out to my friends until I was 25.

"My sexuality isn't the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I'm not telling an authentic story if I don't say that I'm gay, and that I've had real struggles dealing with hiding that.

"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."

He went on to address the video that emerged in which he appeared to be sniffing a white powder through a bank note.

"I don't recognise myself in the cocaine video," he said.

"I can't resonate with how I felt then, but that was me. I was struggling with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I found myself in that position - escaping."

In a statement issued to Sky News, Coote added:  "This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me.

"I am truly sorry for any offence caused by my actions and for the negative spotlight it put on the game that I love.

"I hope people will understand that they were private moments taken during very low times in my life. They do not reflect who I am today or what I think.

"My focus now is on continuing to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing. I hope that my experiences, both on and off the field, can be utilised in football at some point in the future."

The Football Association opened a separate investigation into claims that Coote discussed issuing a yellow card ahead of a Leeds v West Brom game in 2019. Coote denies the allegations.