‘I understand why Coote hid his sexuality’ – Owens

Former international rugby referee Nigel Owens has stated that he understands why former Premier League referee David Coote avoided sexual abuse.

“Homophobia remains a problem in all sport”, he said but added it was serious in football with some people making “horrendous” comments online.

Coote, 42, said the pressure of his work contributed to the behaviour that led to his sacking by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December.

Owens, the first openly-gay man to referee in international rugby, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast he understands from his own experiences how hiding your sexuality was a “very dark and difficult place to be.”

Coote, who officiated more than 100 top-flight games, apologised for the behaviour and asked people to understand it involved” private moments taken during very low times in my life”.

It would have been very difficult for me to add my sexuality to the extremely unpleasant abuse I have experienced while working as a ref.

Owens cited the need to talk about creating a safe environment for everyone in all sports, not just the fact that Coote felt he couldn’t come out as gay.

” When you are struggling with your identity, it’s a very difficult and sometimes very dark place to be in, “Owens said.

You will attempt to address those demons and mental health issues in ways David Coote has exemplified.

He noted that “still a lot of work to be done” but that things are much better than they have historically.

If you look at some of the comments David Coote made about his sexuality on social media today, it will still reveal some horrifying, horrible people.

“People resent the question of why this is still being discussed, why people still need to live the lie,” the statement read. You just need to take a look at some of the completely unbelievable comments there.

He continued, “Good people” are the majority of football and rugby fans.

However, there will be a minority in all sports who simply reject you because of your identity.

” I’ve experienced that, but obviously in football the issue is much more serious. “