Death threats sent to Chelsea manager

20 February 2008 16:36

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LONDON (AFP) - Anti-Semitic death threats have been sent to Chelsea boss Avram Grant in a package containing a mysterious powder, British police said Wednesday.

The club's training ground at Cobham, south of London, was sealed off after a member of staff opened the package on Tuesday. A note addressed to Grant claimed the powder was lethal.

Britain's domestic Press Association news agency quoted an unnamed police source as confirming that the note to the 52-year-old Israeli coach included the words: "You are a back-stabbing Jewish bastard.

"When you open this letter you will die a very slow and painful death."

Death threats of a sexual nature were also made to Grant's wife, Tzofit, a well-known television personality in the couple's native Israel, the agency added.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "We were called to Chelsea's training ground at Cobham at 12:15 pm yesterday (Tuesday) after they received a suspicious package.

"A white powder contained within the package was analysed by specialists from Surrey Fire Service and was determined to be a harmless substance.

"Detectives are continuing investigations to identify the source of the package."

Chelsea also confirmed the details in a statement, saying they had followed a "required procedure for dealing with such matters".

Grant and Chelsea were not at the training ground on Tuesday as they had travelled to Athens for a Champions League match with Olympiakos. The match finished 0-0.