Soccer: Leicester's Vardy got death threats over Ranieri sacking
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[March 21, 2017]
(Reuters) - Leicester City's
Jamie Vardy has said he was subjected to death threats and his wife
targeted by aggressive motorists after allegations that he
contributed to the sacking of manager Claudio Ranieri.
The 30-year-old striker, on England duty for this week's friendly
with Germany and World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, said he had
suffered abuse walking along the street and also said his wife had
been repeatedly "cut up" while driving.
Ranieri left the Midlands club in February, just nine months after
winning the Premier League title, with Leicester 17th in the
standings and battling relegation. Vardy has since faced accusations
of influencing the decision to sack the Italian.
The allegation he attended a meeting called by Leicester owner
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at East Midlands airport hours after the
2-1 defeat at Sevilla in a Champions league last 16 first-leg tie on
Feb. 23 had prompted the abuse, Vardy said.
Several Leicester players, backed up by Ranieri's successor and
former assistant Craig Shakespeare, have denied media reports that
there was a player revolt against Ranieri.
"It is terrifying," Vardy told the BBC on Monday.
"I read one story that said I was personally involved in a meeting
after the Sevilla game when I was actually sat in anti-doping for
three hours.
"But then the story is out there, people pick it up and jump on it
and you're getting death threats about your family, kids,
everything."
Vardy has not accused Leicester fans of the abuse and has not
considered reporting it to the police.
Asked where the abuse came from, Vardy said: "On social media, you
name it – walking down the street.
"To be honest I get them (taunts) every week. Football fans don’t
seem to like me. I just get on with it but when people are trying to
cut your missus up while she’s driving along, with the kids in the
back of the car it’s not the best. It’s happened plenty of times."
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Leicester City's Jamie
Vardy and Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri during the press
conference Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic
Vardy said there was no problem between Ranieri and
the Leicester players during the Italian's time in charge.
"No, not at all. Basically if there was an issue you went and did it
in the gaffer’s office, man-to-man. Or you went and did it on the
tactics board, because he was happy for you to come in and put your
opinion across," he added.
"The stories were quite hurtful to be honest with you. A lot of
false accusations were being thrown out there and there was nothing
we, as players, could do about it."
(Writing by Ken Ferris; Editing by Nick Mulvenney) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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