Former Premier League referee David Coote has insisted that his drug use had no bearing on his on-pitch decisions.

David Coote has come out as gay in his first interview since his dismissal as a Premier League referee last month, with the official opening up about his sexuality

Coote was in October initially suspended by the referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), after a video of him calling ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp “arrogant” and a “German c***” circulated on social media.