David Coote, once a respected Premier League referee, has seen his career unravel following a series of shocking incidents that led to his dismissal and a ban from UEFA.
The scandal, sparked by leaked videos, has had a lasting impact on both Coote’s professional life and personal struggles.
Leaked Videos and Immediate Consequences
In December, Coote was fired by the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) after several controversial videos surfaced.
One of the clips showed him making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, while another appeared to show Coote using a white powder, which he later confirmed was cocaine.
These revelations prompted an immediate review of his position as a top-flight referee, with the PGMOL determining that his actions made it impossible for him to continue in his role.
In a further blow to Coote, UEFA announced on Friday that he had been banned from all refereeing activities until 30 June 2026.
According to UEFA, his actions had violated their ethical standards and brought the sport into disrepute.
This new ban from European football followed a separate investigation into Coote’s conduct, including his involvement in a betting probe from 2019, which he has denied.
Personal Struggles and the Impact on His Mental Health
Coote has been open about the profound emotional toll these events have taken on him.
After the video leaks, he described feeling overwhelmed by shame and guilt, admitting that he struggled to leave his house and even experienced panic attacks in public spaces.
“I felt that every which way I looked, people were judging me,” Coote said, reflecting on his intense feelings of self-doubt and isolation.
In an emotional interview, Coote also shared the personal struggles he had been battling for years.
He revealed that his issues with drugs stemmed from a long history of shame about his sexuality.
Coote admitted he didn’t come out to his parents until he was 21, and to his friends until he was 25.
His decision to hide his sexuality, while seen as a necessity in his refereeing career, had a profound impact on his personal well-being.
“It’s not the only reason I ended up in this position, but it certainly played a part,” he explained.
A Glimpse Into Coote’s Career
David Coote’s rise through the ranks of football refereeing was impressive.
Starting at just 14 years old, he worked his way up from being a lineman to officiating at some of the most significant matches in football.
In 2014, he officiated his first major game at Wembley Stadium during the League One play-off final.
Four years later, Coote was appointed to the Premier League, where he officiated his first top-flight match between Newcastle and West Brom in 2018.
He was even listed as a FIFA referee between 2020 and 2022, marking the peak of his career.
However, the series of scandals and public revelations have now overshadowed his once-promising career.
Despite the setbacks, some close to him suggest that he could still find a future in football, potentially as a VAR pundit or expert, thanks to his in-depth knowledge of the game.
Redemption or Return?
While Coote’s future in refereeing remains uncertain, there have been whispers about his potential comeback in a different role within football.
Sources close to him speculate that he could be well-suited to a position as a VAR instructor or analyst, where his extensive experience as a referee could still be valuable.
Whether or not this marks a new chapter for Coote in football remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his personal and professional life is far from the public eye it once was.
David Coote’s story is one of both success and downfall—a complex narrative shaped by personal demons and the pressures of a high-profile career.
Only time will tell if he can rebuild his life and reputation after such a turbulent fall from grace.