David Coote's plan for the future revealed after former Premier League referee came out as gay

Shortly after, another video emerged appearing to show Coote snorting cocaine - something he's now admitted to.

Speaking to The Sun, the ex-official announced he was gay and had turned to cocaine in order to help him cope with his personal life.

The publication say that Coote hopes to stay in football, despite the scandals that ended his refeering career.

At the current moment in time he is training for a marathon in May to raise money for research into monor neurone disease, which his uncle suffers from.

Coote said: “I’ll be looking to make sure my health and wellbeing is in the best possible place.”

For many, working in football is a privilege.

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And while Coote acknowledges he was fortunate to be a referee, he's also insisted there is a 'trade-off' due to the intense nature of the job and the risk of a backlash from supporters.

“Nobody really prepares you for moving through each level and then arriving in the Premier League, which is like a goldfish bowl," he said.

"You don’t apply for promotion, people just take a judgment on your performances and you as a person, and give you the opportunity at a new level.

“All of us who operate at the top levels of the game, we’re just normal guys, football fans who’ve been fortunate enough to be selected and move through the levels.

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“I’ve been really fortunate as a football fan to have seen the great players at such close quarters.

“But there is a trade-off.

“We don’t get an easy ride of it.”

While Coote was sacked by the Premier League, he did receive support from the PGMOL.

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That's something he's extremely grateful for.

“The support has helped me get through some really tough times," he continued.

“My episodes hit the whole refereeing community hard because it showed just how accountable everybody in the game is.”

There is no shirking his responsibilities however. While Coote was sad to lose his refereeing career, he's fully aware of the 'mistakes' he's made.

“I’ve struggled and I’ve tried to get through it in my own way and made poor decisions in doing so," he said.

“I hope that others make better decisions and that referees are given an easier ride in the levels of scrutiny, and levels of abuse that come in their direction.

“I hope this shines a light on the impact it can have on a person.”