Leicester's Vardy reveals death threats in wake of Ranieri's departure

21 March 2017 07:38

Jamie Vardy received death threats following Leicester's sacking of Claudio Ranieri, the England striker has revealed.

The 30-year-old also claimed his wife had been cut up while driving with the couple's children in the car.

Vardy and Foxes team-mates Marc Albrighton, Kasper Schmeichel and Wes Morgan all denied claims that players had met with Leicester's owners following their 2-1 Champions League defeat in Seville.

Ranieri, who guided Leicester to the Premier League title last season, was dismissed 24 hours later.

Vardy, who could start in England's international against Germany on Wednesday, again insisted he played no part in the Italian's departure and revealed it had caused him and his family to be targeted by disgruntled fans.

He said: "I read one story that said it (the meeting) was straight after the Sevilla game. It said I was personally involved in a meeting when I was actually sat in anti-doping for three hours. A few of you (media) waited around for an interview after.

"Then of course the story is out there and people pick it up and jump on it and you're getting death threats about your family, kids, everything.

"On social media, you name it - walking down the street. To be honest I get them 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 is terrifying. All that can happen is they get banned on Twitter. People get cut up but if there's no cameras you're screwed."

Vardy and the rest of the England squad were present for a "powerful" presentation by manager Gareth Southgate on Monday morning, but the injured Wayne Rooney was not.

Southgate invited those in his thoughts but not the squad to join the group and, while it was always subject to club commitments, only Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland - out since last March's friendly in Germany - made the trip.

Rooney was conspicuous by his absence as he stayed at Manchester United to undergo treatment, missing a meeting in which new-boy James Ward-Prowse revealed the lofty ambitions outlined.

"It was a very powerful message," the Southampton midfielder said, before confirming Rooney was not there.

Jermain Defoe, in line to make his first international appearance since November 2013, echoed Ward-Prowse's sentiments, saying the presentation was a "really impressive" look at the bigger picture with the ultimate goal of becoming world champions.

Another man back in the England frame is Manchester United defender Phil Jones, who is eager to make up for lost time.

He said: "People write people off too quickly. When you are not playing you are out of sight and out of mind, that's football. But I have had a good run before a little knock and I am back now."

Source: PA