'Houllier received death threat'
2004-03-03 08:42
London - Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has received a death threat in the post, the English Premiership side confirmed on Tuesday.
In a statement, a Liverpool spokesperson said the Frenchman had received the letter three weeks ago and that it had been referred to the police.
"It was considered to be worrying enough for us to involve the police. They are still investigating," said the spokesperson, who added that Houllier had opened the letter himself.
Liverpool are currently in Bulgaria preparing for their Uefa Cup tie away to Levski Sofia on Wednesday.
Houllier has been under pressure following the collapse of Liverpool's challenge for the Premiership title.
But the kind of criticism managers' routinely expect from fans moved to an all-together more sinister level when insults were daubed on the wall of Liverpool's training ground following last month's surprise FA Cup defeat away to Premiership strugglers Portsmouth.
However, the letter was received before Liverpool's 1-0 replay reverse at Fratton Park and was kept under wraps as police began their inquiries.
Liverpool's spokesperson added: "A letter was received about three weeks ago and opened by the manager.
"It was very unpleasant and because of that we have involved the police in the situation. We do not want to over-dramatise the incident, but such letters can't be ignored."
Houllier, a popular figure with Liverpool supporters for most of his nearly six-year reign even had to listen to verbal abuse from hard-core fans in the Kop at their Anfield ground.
But, after news of the grafitti incident became public, there was a noticeably warmer approach towards Houllier during last week's 2-0 first-leg win against Sofia, with fans supportively chanting his name.
And after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored the first goal the England midfielder responded by running to embrace his manager.