David Coote has revealed he turned to drugs because he feared coming out as gay while working as a Premier League referee in his first interview since being sacked.

The 42-year-old was fired in December by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after a video emerged of him appearing to make derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.

In an interview with The Sun, he talked about the challenges of his work schedule, the abuse he received as a referee and his “struggles dealing with hiding” his sexuality.

“I don’t recognise myself in the cocaine video,” he said. “I can’t resonate with how I felt then, but that was me. I was struggling with the schedule and there was no opportunity to stop. And so I found myself in that position – escaping.”

He said: “I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular.

“I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25.

“My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that.

“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.”

In a statement to Sky News, Coote said: “This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me.

“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.

“My focus now is on continuing to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing. I hope that my experiences, both on and off the field, can be utilised in football at some point in the future.”

Coote went on to thank those who have supported him.

In November, the Football Association launched a separate investigation into allegations Coote discussed giving a yellow card ahead of a Leeds match in 2019. Coote refutes the allegations.