Sport

Ex-Premier League Referee David Coote Open Up Out About Being Gay

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2025

Former Premier League referee David Coote has publicly come out as gay, sharing his journey for the first time in an interview with the UK Sun. In the interview, Coote also revealed that he used cocaine as a way to escape from the pressures of his life and career.

The 42-year-old was dismissed from his position as a referee last year after a series of incidents that led the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to conclude that he had seriously breached his contract.

Coote spoke candidly about his struggles, reflecting on the shame he felt during his teenage years for hiding his sexuality. He admitted that he didn’t come out to his parents until he was 21 and to his friends until he was 25.

While Coote acknowledged that his sexuality was not the sole factor behind the downfall of his career, he emphasized that he couldn’t tell his full story without being honest about his identity.

He admitted that the emotional suppression he experienced as a young referee—both in terms of hiding his sexuality and his feelings—was a trait that may have served him well in his professional role but was damaged in his personal life.

Sport

“I Am Really Disappointed” — Mikel Arteta Reacts to Brighton Defeat

Published

16 hours ago

September 19, 2026

Ese Ohwofa

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about his team’s performance after the Gunners suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaks on the aftermath of the match and shares his analysis of the team and how they lost 3-0 to Brighton.

Speaking on the match, he shared: “I am really disappointed. In the first 20 or 30 minutes, the number of technical errors put us constantly under pressure. It was all related to the start.”

It can be noted that the team had been having a winning streak so far but fell at this match against Brighton.

Arsenal had won their opening four Premier League matches before the defeat, with the loss ending their perfect start to the season.

Sport

Enzo Maresca Reminds Man United of 2023 Derby Error After Controversial City Goal

Published

4 days ago

September 16, 2026

Ese Ohwofa

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has spoken on the controversial offside goal in Manchester City’s recent derby win over Manchester United and shared how Manchester United had actually benefited from a similar decision in the past.

He recalled that three years ago, Manchester United won a derby game against Manchester City with a goal that was allowed to stand despite an offside decision.

“Three years ago, we lost the Derby at Old Trafford with a goal that had to be disallowed. No one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology, Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes against you. It’s football.”

The comments came after Manchester City’s 1–0 win over Manchester United, in which Erling Haaland’s goal was initially ruled offside before VAR overturned the decision. The refereeing body later acknowledged that the decision was incorrect.

Sport

UEFA Confirms Venues for 2028 and 2029 European Club Finals

Published

5 days ago

September 15, 2026

Ese Ohwofa

UEFA has announced the venues that will host the major European club finals in 2028 and 2029.

The 2028 Europa League final will take place at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, while Belgrade’s National Stadium in Serbia will host the 2029 final.

For the Europa Conference League, Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, will stage the 2028 final, with the 2029 edition set to take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

The Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam will host the 2027 UEFA Super Cup, followed by the Astana Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the 2028 edition.

Meanwhile, the 2028 Champions League final will be played at the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany, while Barcelona’s Camp Nou will host the 2029 final.