Threats made by a racist English group against Irish soccer players based in Britain are being treated "very seriously" by the Football Association of Ireland.
Manchester United was one of a number of Premiership clubs which expressed concern yesterday at the threats from Combat 18, the gang believed to be behind the 1995 Lansdowne Road riots.
The president of the FAI, Mr Pat Quigley, confirmed it had received a hand-written letter purporting to be from the fascist group. The letter said life-threatening action would be taken against players such as Roy Keane and Denis Irwin if they didn't "go home to the Irish bogs". There had also been "quite disturbing phone calls", said Mr Quigley. "Naturally, we are hoping that this may be the work of a prankster but nonetheless, we have to take the matter seriously."
Manchester United's assistant secretary, Mr Ken Ramsden, said the club had been made aware of the threats. "We will be acting on whatever advice the police give us, which will be based on the police's judgement of the threats," he said.
The move follows concerns for Irish people in Britain after the spate of London bombings aimed at minority communities which killed three people. Combat 18 was one of the groups which claimed responsibility for the attacks, although those claims appear to be unsubstantiated.
British police said they were sceptical about the authenticity of the football threats, given recent events. However, they said the threats would be investigated.
The FAI has begun notifying all English clubs with Irish players, from professionals to teenage apprentices.
As well as the Manchester United stars, Middlesbrough mid-fielder Andy Townsend and Tony Cascarino, who plays in France, were named in the letter to the FAI. Ironically, both are originally from Kent.
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy said "all necessary precautions" would be taken in the run-up to the team's next match, against Northern Ireland on May 29th.
"It's something we could all do without but we can't absolutely ignore it," he said.
Mr Quigley said it was "very sad to think that any group would wish to take such action against the Republic's players "who are earning their living in Britain and who entertain so many with their footballing skills".