Former Bristol City striker Louis Britton received vile death threats in the wake of playing against his former club on Monday.
The 21-year-old ex-Robin academy prospect called out a number of Waterford supporters on social media after he was targeted following Cork City's 0-0 draw in their Irish First Division game.
Britton enjoyed a successful loan stint with Waterford where he scored 10 goals in 17 matches but opted against joining them permanently in June, instead signing for their league rivals Cork until the end of the Irish season in October. His Twitter feed was then flooded with comments of snake emojis following the announcement.
The Bristolian came off the bench in the second half to a hostile reception from the travelling fans which Britton admitted is part and parcel of the game but later received shocking messages on Instagram including a voice message that threatened to "slit his mother's throat."
The abuse comes just days after Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen revealed he had received death threats after he was involved in a tussle with Liverpool's Darwin Nunez that led to the Uruguayan being sent off in their Premier League fixture.
Britton shared Anderson's comment on Instagram before revealing some of the messages he received following Cork's draw. Anderson's comment read: "Got maybe 300-400 of these messages last night. I understand you support a team but have some respect and stop acting tough online."
One of the messages Britton shared said: "Hi Louis, just wanted to say you're a c***, this is what you get for leaving and being a p**** about it. Hope you do your ACL you English c***."
Another voice message said: "F*** you Louis Britton, if you see this message you dirty b****** treating Waterford like that. Next time you come to Waterford you're getting your head smacked in. I hope your mother kills herself and you slit her throat you dirty b******".
Another message Britton shared read: "I hope you suffer a career-ending injury you British b******."
Anderson admitted he has involved the police over the torrent of abuse he has received and while Britton hasn't got the authorities involved, he told Bristol Live it remains an option if the messages become more frequent.
It also further highlights the lack of protection for players who are on the receiving end of abuse on social platforms. There have been numerous calls for social media companies to take more action against threats and discriminatory messages.
Last year, clubs and players took part in a four-day boycott of social media in an attempt to tackle online abuse.
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