Threat to player's life over sectarian row.

SUNDERLAND and Northern Ireland international footballer David Healy voiced anger last night after his life was threatened over a bizarre allegation against him on the internet.

In a television interview, the player welcomed a recent goal he had scored by saying it had ended his "drought or famine" in front of the net.

But the striker's comments were portrayed as a reference to a sectarian chant relating to the Irish famine sung by Glasgow 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 last night replayed the entire interview to show its context was harmless.

He attracted criticism last July when he mimicked playing the flute - a reference to Orange Order parades - during a friendly match between Celtic and Fulham, for whom he played at the time.

Healy, who has since been signed by Sunderland, made an immediate apology for the incident which he said had come after he was heckled by Celtic fans.