David Coote, the former Premier League referee sacked after making derogatory comments about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, has come out publicly as being gay and said that hiding his sexuality contributed to the behaviour that led to his dismissal.

Coote was initially suspended last October after footage emerged of him mocking ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref,” he said. “And to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.”