Former Premier League referee David Coote has said he hid his sexuality during his career, fearing the abuse he would receive for being gay.
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.
Speaking to the Sun in an interview published on Monday night,, external he said: "I'm gay and I have struggled with feeling proud of being 'me' over a long period of time.
"I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.