Northern Ireland striker David Healy has hit out after his life was threatened following a bizarre allegation against him on the internet.
In a television interview, the Sunderland player welcomed a recent international goal he had scored by saying it had thankfully ended his "drought or famine" in front of the net.
But the Healy's comments were portrayed as a reference to a chant relating to the Irish famine sung by Rangers fans which has hit the headlines.
A video clip of his post-match interview on Ulster Television placed on an internet site has received thousands of hits and spawned online threats against the player.
Healy said: "I made reference to famine and people have maliciously represented those comments.
"I am hugely disappointed in this. I am very angry."
Ulster Television replayed the entire interview to show its context was harmless.
Healy attracted criticism in July when he mimicked playing the flute - a reference to Orange Order parades - during a friendly match between Celtic and Fulham, who he played for at the time.
Healy made an immediate apology for the incident which he said came after he was heckled by Celtic fans.
