He expressed regret over the actions that led to his dismissal.
The 42-year-old was suspended in November after a video surfaced showing him making offensive comments about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, which quickly went viral.
Additionally, the Sun published photos in November that allegedly showed Coote using a white powder with a rolled-up banknote during Euro 2024.
Last month, he was let go by the referees' organization, PGMOL. In a recent interview with the Sun, Coote came out as gay.
“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 said.
He added: “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.”
Coote mentioned that he and his late mom faced death threats because of some calls he made during games. He used his experience to highlight how constant harassment from fans and online can really take a toll on the mental well-being of referees.
‘Escape route’
Coote told the Sun he had used cocaine as an “escape route”.
“I’ve had long periods where I’ve not used it -— but it was one of the escape routes I had,” he said.
“Just getting away from the stresses, the relentlessness of the job. It fills me with a huge sense of shame to say that I took that route.”
In a separate statement issued late Monday, Mr. Coote indicated he had endured an exceptionally challenging period.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me,” he said.
“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.”
Coote's contract got the axe from the PGMOL in December after they looked into that initial video where he made some offensive remarks about Klopp.
Now, both the Football Association and UEFA are checking into his behavior.
Thomas Hitzlsperger, a former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder, publicly came out in 2014 after retiring, but there hasn't been an openly gay player in the Premier League since.
Nigel Owens, a former international rugby referee who came out as gay back in 2007, mentioned he gets why Coote kept his sexuality under wraps.
“People wonder why we are still talking about this, why people are still needing to live the lie,” he told the BBC. “You just need to look at some of the comments on there (social media) which are totally unbelievable.”