David Coote: Former referee hid sexuality for fear of abuse
www.bbc.co.uk
Former Premier League referee David Coote has said he hid his sexuality during his career, fearing the abuse he would receive for being gay.
  • imaqtpie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    Meh I don’t necessarily disagree, but it does appear that on some level he chose to give an interview at this moment due to the threats going around towards Oliver and his recent similar experiences.

    He has spoken as police investigate “threats and abuse” directed at referee Michael Oliver following Arsenal’s game against Wolves on Saturday.

    Or perhaps this was when the Sun chose to publish the interview due to the current public attention on the topic.

    Either way, I enjoyed the article and thought it helped give some context and remind the reader that referees are only human. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, but it’s certainly a very difficult career due to the inevitable public scrutiny that comes with it, and without much of the financial and social reward that players benefit from.

    • Coelacanth@feddit.nuEnglish
      21·
      2 days ago

      That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, but it’s certainly a very difficult career due to the inevitable public scrutiny that comes with it, and without much of the financial and social reward that players benefit from.

      Not just that, but making it up through the lower leagues is absolutely gruelling. I don’t remember who it was - I think it was on the StatsBomb podcast years ago - but I heard professional referees are among the careers with the highest percentage dropouts within the first year of starting. And it’s easy to imagine why: not just is the job physically demanding and often difficult, but having to suffer through years of hearing Potbelly Pete in the 13th division call you a worthless piece of shit because you sent him off for a two-footer can’t be a pleasant experience. It’s no wonder most are filtered out, especially since as you say they’re far from compensated fairly.