*Morning News: Tuesday 28 January 2025* *Headlines* *ZIMRA Warned Against Intensified Anti-smuggling Campaign* *Retailers Send Mnangagwa SOS As Shops Continue Shutting Down Over Operational Woes* *Zimbabwe Urged To Prioritise Local Health Financing Amid WHO Funding Uncertainty* *Chitungwiza Municipality To Demolish Unapproved Precast Walls, Shut Down Unlicensed Mobile Cash Cabins* *1 Killed After Honda Fit Ploughs Into Johanne Masowe Congregant* *Labour Rejects government’s Policy For Civil Servants To Work ‘Forever’* *African Nations Seek To Connect 300 Million People To Power By 2030* *Ukraine Replaces Commander Of Eastern Front After Russia Captures Another Town* *Trump To Sign Order Eliminating DEI From Military* *Russia Issues School Textbook Saying It Was 'Forced' To March Into Ukraine* *Belgian Footballer Nainggolan Arrested In Cocaine Trafficking Sting* *AFCON2025: Zimbabwe Drawn To Battle Egypt, South Africa & Angola* *David Coote: Former Referee Hid Sexuality For Fear Of Abuse* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *ZIMRA Warned Against Intensified Anti-smuggling Campaign* Experts in the retail sector have urged the government to be more cautious by balancing the anti-smuggling campaign with the general needs of ordinary citizens on the back of indications that basic commodities prices risk rising sharply. In December 2024, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) intensified smuggled goods seizures at the borders, confiscating merchandise running into millions of dollars in some instances. In a notice signifying an intensified anti-smuggled goods campaign this week, the government further listed 19 products which shall be deemed smuggled and these include; Alcoholic beverages, cement, clothing footwear, diapers, motor spares, washing powder and detergents among others. “If your business is found in possession of these goods, and you cannot show ZIMRA proof that you paid duty for them, you will be “deemed to have smuggled the goods and liable to payment of the duty thereof, including applicable penalties,” an accompanying statement reads in part. However, a local retailer who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com warned against the long-term effects of the anti-smuggling campaign. “Yes. Duties must be paid for by these importers but while the operation is highly noble, there is a need for authorities to be realistic about our country’s productive status. These products listed as specified for smuggling have been found at a very cheaper price locally, enabling citizens to purchase them at a cheaper price. “As we speak, the formal retail sector is already going down, with empty shelves becoming the order of the day. Indications on the ground are that many are likely to close shop. We have received reports of some supermarkets resorting to three days at work and three days outside work due to reduced business,” she said. The source said many formal outlets are folding operations at some branches and underscored that what this means is that the informal sector, a survival option now under pressure, will be left with no choice except to increase the prices of basic commodities. “There is a need for authorities to balance the interests, bearing in mind the possible risks of a surging cost of living for an already struggling populace,” she added. *NewZW* *Retailers Send Mnangagwa SOS As Shops Continue Shutting Down Over Operational Woes* The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and save the sector which has seen various formal retail and wholesale businesses closing shop countrywide due to operational challenges. In a statement on Sunday, CZR president Denford Mutashu said the continued closure of formal retail and wholesale businesses is a direct consequence of the tough economic environment that has consistently failed to support formalised sector players who face stiff competition from informal businesses and vendors the majority of whom have no tax obligations to deal with. Mutashu said his association was concerned that authorities continue to downplay the crisis. “The recent closure of several outlets under the N. Richards Group, coupled with Spar Zimbabwe’s painful decision to shut down Queensdale Spar, Choppies Zimbabwe’s exit from the market, and Mahommed Mussa’s significant reduction of shop space by 60%, highlights the growing crisis. “As the representative association for these and other brands, CZR is alarmed that while formal businesses face enormous challenges, the authorities continue to present a different picture of the operating environment,” he said. Given the situation, Mutashu said, only President Mnangagwa can rescue the troubled sector. “CZR therefore calls for urgent intervention from His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, to rescue what remains of the formalized retail and wholesale sector,” said Mutashu. He said the sector was in urgent need of rescue. “While CZR acknowledges the continued support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, it is clear that the root causes of these challenges are fiscal and monetary in nature. These require urgent and decisive action to ensure the survival of formal businesses. “CZR therefore appeals to the Presidium to prioritize interventions aimed at saving jobs and mitigating the ongoing wave of shop closures and retrenchments,” he said. *ZimLive* *Zimbabwe Urged To Prioritise Local Health Financing Amid WHO Funding Uncertainty* The Zimbabwean government has been urged to prioritise local resource mobilisation for healthcare financing following the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This development, prompted by US President Donald Trump’s executive order last week, is expected to disrupt global health funding, with significant ripple effects on developing countries like Zimbabwe, which heavily depend on international assistance. Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive director Mr. Itai Rusike said the US withdrawal could reduce support for Zimbabwe, stressing the need for self-sustenance. “This should serve as a reminder for our Government to focus on self-sufficiency. Technical capacitation within the health sector and key health determinants is crucial as we aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and upper-middle-income economy status,” he said. Rusike further highlighted the importance of implementing the Primary Health Care for Universal Health Coverage (PHC4UHC) strategy. He added, “While we still need WHO, we must take ownership of our health systems and seek assistance as needed.” Health and Child Care Secretary Dr. Aspect Maunganidze emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to domestic resource mobilisation. “In November, the National Health Financing Dialogue laid the groundwork for local resource mobilisation. Treasury’s increased budget allocation from 9.86% to 13.01% reflects this focus,” he said. Dr. Maunganidze also noted the introduction of the sugar tax, earmarked for cancer machine procurement, and the ongoing success of the National AIDS Trust Fund in funding HIV responses. Plans are underway to integrate comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer into these efforts. The National Health Insurance initiative is another key intervention aimed at maximising existing tax revenues to improve health service delivery. “We need to ring-fence current taxes to enhance healthcare without imposing additional tax burdens,” he explained. Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, echoed the importance of scaling up domestic health funding. “Earmarked taxes should be directed towards health to fill funding gaps,” he said. WHO, which has been instrumental in supporting global health initiatives, expressed hope that the US would reconsider its decision. “We look forward to constructive dialogue to maintain this partnership for the health and well-being of millions,” the organisation stated. *Chitungwiza Municipality To Demolish Unapproved Precast Walls, Shut Down Unlicensed Mobile Cash Cabins* The Chitungwiza Municipality has given a notice to homeowners and businesses with unapproved precast walls to visit council offices for regularization. The council has temporarily waived the US$200 penalty fee for each approval stage for those who comply before February 28, 2025, allowing them to pay a reduced fee of US$150 instead. In the notice, the Chitungwiza municipal acting town clerk, Japson Nemuseso, said demolition of unauthorised precast walls will take place if compliance is not achieved within a month. “Chitungwiza Municipality is inviting homeowners and businesses with durawalls that have not been approved to visit council offices for regularisation by going through the approval processes. Please also note that those who are not within their boundaries should revert back to original pegs. “The council is waiving the US$200 penalty fee for each approval stage to people who respond to this call before 28 February 2025. Those who respond before the deadline will only pay a US$150 approval fee. “If compliance is not achieved within a month, the municipality will not hesitate to demolish the durawalls, a cost that will be met by their owners,” said Nemuseso The municipality further directed individuals operating mobile cash cabins or containers without the required licenses, permits, or legitimate leases to cease their operations immediately. “The Chitungwiza Municipality hereby directs anyone running a business in mobile cash cabins or containers without the required licenses, permits, or legitimate leases to cease operations immediately and vacate the area you operate at by February 6, 2025. “Failure to comply with this notice will result in confiscation of any goods and equipment. The Municipality firmly urges you to act promptly to avoid financial or legal consequences,” said Nemuseso. *NewZW* *1 Killed After Honda Fit Ploughs Into Johanne Masowe Congregant* A man driving a Honda Fit ploughed into a group of 11 congregants walking home from night prayers on Sunday morning, allegedly after losing control of the vehicle. One of the pedestrians was killed and 10 others required hospital treatment after the 6AM incident on Nketa Drive near Chicken Corner in Tshabalala. The accident victims were all members of Johanne Masowe, a white garment church which holds services in open air spaces. The Bulawayo Fire Brigade was summoned to the scene after a man who later died became trapped underneath the vehicle. Bulawayo’s chief fire officer Mhlangano Moyo said: “Our responders found a Honda Fit vehicle in a ditch with one person trapped underneath, who was suspected to be already dead. “The Brigade extricated the trapped victim and conveyed the injured individuals to Mpilo Hospital.” The driver was arrested and faces charges of culpable homicide. *ZimLive* *Labour Rejects government’s Policy For Civil Servants To Work ‘Forever’* THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has rejected government’s policy offering civil servants an opportunity to work way beyond their retirement age arguing the initiative breaches basic rights. Through Statutory Instrument 201 of 2024 under the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (General Laws Amendment) Regulations, 2024, President Emmerson Mnangagwa raised the retirement age from 65 to 70. However, at the age of 60, they still have the choice to retire early, provided they submit a three-month notice. “…before the effective date, may have a pensionable age of sixty-five years with option to retire at seventy-years on full pension: Provided that any retirement after the year of sixty-fifth anniversary and before the seventieth anniversary shall be deemed to be early retirement; or on or after the effective date, shall have a pensionable age of seventy years. “A member may, on giving three months’ notice of retirement be permitted by the commission to retire before pensionable age at any time after attaining the age of sixty,” part of the SI reads. While some sections of the society have perceived the move as noble for those civil servants who are still active, the country’s most influential labour organ, ZCTU expressed reservations over the extension of the retirement age for civil servants and uniformed forces. The labour organ contends that the move is not adequate to address issues affecting its employees and pensioners. “Civil servants and pensioners are plagued with serious welfare challenges arising from poor remuneration and working conditions that are pauperising them to the extent that they involuntarily find it reasonable to work forever instead of resting and enjoying their old age. “The government needs to address fundamental welfare challenges affecting its employees so that it becomes attractive to retire,” the ZCTU acting secretary general, Runesu Dzimiri said in a statement. The ZCTU said it finds it outrageous for the government to, without adequate consultation, resort to self-help antics to avoid meeting and improving its obligations to employees and pensioners. While noting that it is optional for one to extend to the new age limits, the ZCTU reiterated that the option must not be driven by desperation and fear of poverty after retirement owing to poor pensions and implored the government to pay above Poverty Datum Line (PDL)salaries so that a worker can be at liberty to continue working or proceed on retirement without reservations. Said Dzimiri; “Government policy needs to unlock employment opportunities for thousands of youths graduating from universities, polytechnics and vocational training institutions instead of shutting them out of employment. The move entails a five year ‘freeze’ or insignificant payment of pension gratuities with the government saving millions of dollars.” He said the move may also disadvantage some workers who may die before reaching the age of 70 as their benefits would be significantly reduced. The ZCTU called upon the government to revisit the reform, respect senior citizens and focus on tenets that bring direct and improved benefits to its employees and pensioners instead of crafting ‘slave’ policies to wriggle out of its responsibilities. *NewZW* *African Nations Seek To Connect 300 Million People To Power By 2030* Several African nations committed on Monday to open up their electricity sectors to attract investors and light up homes of 300 million people currently lacking power in the next six years. The continent has the highest number of people without access to electricity globally and is racing to connect homes to power by 2030 under a plan dubbed "Mission 300" launched by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in April. The push aims to unlock at least $90 billion in capital from multilateral development banks, development agencies, finance institutions, private businesses and philanthropies, according to the which is part of the initiative. "We want to expand and rehabilitate our electricity grids using the least cost possible," said Kevin Kariuki, vice president for infrastructure at the AfDB during an energy summit of African heads of state in Tanzania's commercial capital. Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Tanzania were among a dozen countries that committed to reform their electricity utility companies, push renewable energy integration and raise national electricity connection targets. Multilateral development banks and commercial banks represented at the summit will use the country's commitments to persuade their clients to invest in Africa's energy sectors, said World Bank President Ajay Banga. Providing 300 million people with access to electricity, half of those currently without power on the continent, is a crucial building block for boosting Africa's development by creating new jobs, Banga said. The World Bank expects to spend $30-40 billion on the plan, Banga said, while the AfDB will provide $10-15 billion, and the rest will come from private investors and other sources. "The World Bank will pay countries as part of our support only when they make the (regulatory and policy) changes," Banga said. Private capital has in the past blamed unfriendly regulations, red tape and currency risks for making investments in Africa's electricity sector hard. Half of the targeted new connections will get electricity from existing national grids, the World Bank and the AfDB said, while the other half will be from renewable energy sources, including wind and solar mini-grids. *Reuters* *Ukraine Replaces Commander Of Eastern Front After Russia Captures Another Town* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy replaced the commander of the eastern front, the most heated battlefield of the Ukraine war, after Russian forces captured another strategic town there. Brigadier-General Andriy Hnatov was replaced as the battlefield commander in the east by Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, overall commander of ground forces, who will keep his previous duties. Hnatov was given a role overseeing training and communications. In his nightly video address late on Sunday, Zelenskiy said the aim was to strengthen the command of troops in the Donetsk region. Donetsk, a battlefield since 2014 and one of four provinces Russia claims to have annexed since its 2022 full-scale invasion, has been the main focus of fighting for more than a year. The Ukrainian military confirmed on Monday that it had withdrawn from the Donetsk region town of Velyka Novosilka, a day after Russia said it had captured it. Viktor Trehubov, a military spokesperson for Ukraine's eastern front, confirmed that Russian troops had entered the town but said fighting continued on the outskirts. Russian forces have been slowly but steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine for more than a year in relentless ground combat that has caused massive military losses on both sides. Kyiv, for its part, has managed to capture and hold a pocket of territory inside Russia over the past six months. The new eastern commander, Drapatyi, 42, is well respected in the army, where he is credited with stopping a Russian offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region last year. Ukrainian forces halted Russia's initial assault on the capital Kyiv after Russia's invasion in 2022 and achieved several big successes recapturing territory during the first year of the war. But they have largely been on the defensive since the failure of a major counterattack in mid-2023. Ukrainian analysts estimate Russia captured about 3,000 square km (1200 square miles) of territory last year. With the war approaching its three-year mark in February, Ukraine is outmanned on the battlefield and its troops are exhausted. The government tried to address the issue by lowering the mobilisation age to 25 from 27 and introducing tougher rules for those evading the call-up. But it has so far resisted lowering the mobilisation age further to boost manpower. Trehubov, the eastern forces spokesperson, said that the logistics hub of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region remained the main Russian target. Around 7,000 people are believed to remain inside Pokrovsk, which had around 60,000 residents before the invasion. "The Pokrovsk direction accounts for at least half of all combat clashes, there is a lot of fighting there. It is the most active direction," Trehubov told Ukrainian TV. "They are trying to bypass the city, cut the supply lines and drive our troops out of the city." *Reuters* *Trump To Sign Order Eliminating DEI From Military* US President Donald Trump is expected to officially move on Monday to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the defence department, one of several military-focused executive orders expected today. A second order will task US officials with formulating a policy on transgender troops. A third executive order will reinstate military personnel who were discharged for refusing Covid-19 vaccines. Removing DEI programmes from within the federal government was a central campaign promise of Trump's - and one that he moved swiftly to implement upon taking office last week. *BBC* *Palestinians Return To North Gaza After Over A Year; Hamas Hails ‘Victory’* After 15 months of war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza as part of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Early on Monday, displaced Palestinians – huddled together and holding their belongings in sacks and plastic bags – began heading northwards on foot through the Israeli-established Netzarim Corridor, which bisects the strip. The Israeli military earlier on Monday said it would allow Palestinians to cross via the coastal al-Rashid Street by foot starting at 7am (05:00 GMT) and the central Salah al-Din Street by vehicle from 9am (07:00 GMT). “I will start rebuilding my home brick by brick, wall by wall,” a forcibly displaced Palestinian told Al Jazeera. “We will start by removing the debris and rebuild it all over again.” Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from al-Rashid Street, said there was a “sense of excitement and happiness picking up” after Israel announced the timings for people to return home in the north. “We saw a change in the mood of everyone. We have never seen people that happy in the past 15 months,” he said. “People describe this moment as historic. They say it’s as important as the announcement of a ceasefire. For them, this is a victorious day.” Many of the people returning north were defiant. “I cannot describe my feeling. It is a festive day for us, as if we have been resurrected and now are entering paradise,” a young displaced man told Al Jazeera. Hamas called the return “a victory” for Palestinians while its ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad said it was a “response to all those who dream of displacing our people”. In a statement, Hamas said Palestinians returning to areas from which they were forcibly displaced “prove the failure of the occupation to achieve the aggressive goals of displacing people and breaking their steadfast will”. In the early days of the war, Israel had forcibly evacuated about 1.1 million people from northern Gaza to prepare for a ground invasion. Israel delayed opening the Netzarim Corridor, originally scheduled over the weekend, over Hamas’s failure to release female Israeli captive Arbel Yehud in the latest captive-prisoner exchange on Saturday. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire despite the group informing mediators that Yehud was alive and giving guarantees for her release. On Sunday, Israeli forces had blocked Palestinian civilians from approaching the Netzarim Corridor, firing on crowds on several occasions and killing at least two Palestinians, according to medical sources. Israel agreed to open the crossing on Monday after Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Hamas had agreed to release Yehud and two other captives before Friday. Omar Baddar, former deputy director of the Arab American Institute, said he was cautiously optimistic about Palestinians returning to their homes in northern Gaza. “There is no question that Israel has ambitions to take over North Gaza. That is part of the reason why they have utterly destroyed it and expelled people from the area,” Baddar told Al Jazeera. “So, while this is a small, promising sign – that they are going to allow within this agreement people to return – they are allowing them to return to an area that is utterly devastated. There is no indication that they are going to allow them to rebuild their homes in that area,” he said. Israel’s war in Gaza has killed at least 47,306 Palestinians and wounded 111,483 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive. Palestinian authorities said the actual death toll during the 15 months of relentless Israeli air and ground assaults is likely to be much higher as they continue to recover bodies from the rubble. The Israeli attacks displaced about 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents with many forced to relocate multiple times. *Aljazeera* *Russia Issues School Textbook Saying It Was 'Forced' To March Into Ukraine* A new school textbook that likens Russia's war in Ukraine to the Soviet struggle against the Nazis and says Russia was "forced" to send troops into Ukraine was presented in Moscow on Monday. President Vladimir Putin casts the war, which Moscow officially calls a "Special Military Operation", as a difficult but necessary fight against a Western- and NATO-backed Ukraine. He says it is part of a wider existential battle against a decadent West trying to weaken and dismember Russia. For their part, Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia is waging a brutal and unprovoked war, merely to gain territory. The three-volume "Military History of Russia" was edited by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin who headed a delegation that held unsuccessful peace talks with Ukraine in 2022, in the early months of the war, and has already co-authored Russia's main history textbook. The third volume, likely to be dismissed by Ukraine's leadership as propaganda, is designed to be taught to children aged 15 and older. It explains why the Kremlin believes the war started and how it is being fought, highlights what it regards as incidences of battlefield heroism, and describes how the modern Russian army is sometimes employing techniques used by the Soviet army during World War Two. In a chapter entitled "Professionalism, indomitability and courage: Russian troops in the Special Military Operation", the book tells schoolchildren that Russia was "forced" to send its troops into Ukraine in 2022. It says the West had for years ignored Russia's security concerns - a reference to the eastward expansion of the NATO military alliance, and to what the book described as the Western-backed toppling of a Russia-friendly Ukrainian president in 2014, which had turned Ukraine into an "aggressive anti-Russian bridgehead". NATO and Ukraine deny ever posing a threat to Russia. Speaking at a TASS news conference to discuss the new book, Ivan Basik, a military historian affiliated with the Russian army, said Western and Ukrainian actions had made the war "inevitable". "The most important task was to explain to the younger generation, to schoolchildren, the forced nature of the special military operation carried out by the Russian Federation," he said. *Reuters* *Belgian Footballer Nainggolan Arrested In Cocaine Trafficking Sting* Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking. The 36-year-old was one of several suspects apprehended by Belgian police on Monday morning, after a series of raids were carried out across the country. "The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium," the Brussels prosecutor's office said in a statement. No further information has been released to the public. The arrest comes just six days after Nainggolan came out of retirement to sign for Lokeren in the Belgian second division. He scored on his debut, giving his side a point in their 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse. Born in Antwerp, the midfielder spent most of his career in Italy, playing for both Roma and Inter Milan. Between 2009 and 2018, he made 30 appearances for the Belgium national team. *BBC* *AFCON2025: Zimbabwe Drawn To Battle Egypt, South Africa & Angola* The Zimbabwe Warriors have been drawn to play five-time African champions Egypt, neighbouring rivals South Africa and Angola in Group B for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals set for December this year. The draw was held in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday. Egypt, boasting one of the world’s best football talents in Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, will come as a big stumbling block to Michael Nees and his men’s quest to advance beyond the group stages of the prestigious competition for the first time since 2004, the year Zimbabwe first qualified for the continental showpiece. It will not be the first time Zimbabwe will play the Pharaohs in an AFCON group stage clash. Perhaps the Warriors can fancy their chances when they clash against neighbours South Africa and Angola, who have both been in many epic battles with the Zimbabwe senior men’s team with mixed fortunes on either side. The AFCON 2025 tournament is scheduled to take place from the 21st of December to the 18th of January 2026 in Morocco. Meanwhile, Group A will see hosts Morocco play Mali, Zambia and Comoros. Group C will see Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania go to battle Group D has Senegal, DR Congo, Benin Republic and Botswana while Group E comprises Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan. Group F’s Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique will complete the cast of African opponents set to tussle for the continent’s biggest football prize. *ZimLive* *David Coote: Former Referee Hid Sexuality For Fear Of Abuse* 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." Coote, who officiated more than 100 top-flight games, gave his first interview to the Sun, the newspaper which led the reporting of his misconduct. In a separate statement issued late on Monday, he apologised for the behaviour that led to his sacking, saying: "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." Speaking about his sexuality to the Sun, Coote said he felt a "deep sense of shame" during his teenage years and told his parents when he was 21 and his friends when he was 25. "My sexuality isn't the only reason that led me to be in that position," he said. "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," he said. "And that's led me to a whole course of behaviours." He has spoken as police investigate "threats and abuse" directed at referee Michael Oliver following Arsenal's game against Wolves on Saturday. Coote revealed that he received death threats during his career, with some also made towards his late mother. He also said he needed to have an accelerated response tag fitted at his home address so he could speak to police in an emergency. Coote was initially suspended by the PGMOL on 11 November after a video emerged on social media of him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and the club's former manager Jurgen Klopp. He now says he apologises "to anybody who I've offended by my actions" and that he "was not sober" at the time the video was recorded. On 13 November, the Sun published photos it says were taken during last year's European Championship, alleging that they appeared to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled up US bank note. His conduct is under investigation by the Football Association and European football's governing body Uefa. Coote told the Sun he has been in an "incredibly dark place" since the photographs of him at the Euros were published and he was "not sure I'd here today" without the support of family and colleagues. On 27 November, the FA opened a new investigation following an allegation that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. He has always denied these allegations. Discussing the events that led up to his sacking, he says his mum died suddenly in 2023 and at the same time his uncle was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. In the 2023-24 season, he says he officiated more than 90 games around the world, followed by the European Championship and then the Olympics, and struggled with the pressure and stress of his work, adding: "The physical and psychological demands on match officials is really significant. "I don't recognise myself in the cocaine video. 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." Coote told the Sun he is over his drug habit after having therapy and felt "a huge sense of shame" for what happened. "I'm guilty of doing what I did, but I'm trying to be the best person that I can be now. I've taken steps to try and be the best I can be both from a physical and a mental wellbeing [perspective]," he added. "To other people who are in my situation, I'd say seek help and talk to somebody because if you bottle it up like I have done, it has to come out in some way." BBC Sport has contacted the PGMOL for comment. *BBC*