Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has opened up about the death threats he received following a racism row involving Luis Suarez in 2011.
The Uruguay striker was banned for eight matches by the English Football Association after being found guilty of misconduct for insulting comments to Evra, which included a reference to the Frenchman’s skin colour, at Anfield in October that year.
Liverpool, (which is the club he played for then) however, mounted a prolonged and public defence of Suarez's conduct as the row between the rival clubs escalated.
Evra said one consequence of the backlash included letters threatening the left-back and his family.
“Manchester United received so many threatening letters about me,” Evra told the club's UTD podcast.
“People said: ‘We're in jail, we're Liverpool fans. When we get out, we're going to kill you and your family'.”
Evra said the nature of the threats caused him to get bodyguards to protect him and his family.
“For two months, I had security everywhere I went. They were sleeping in front of my house. Everywhere I went, the security followed me.
“It was a tough time, but I wasn't scared. My family were scared: my wife and brother, but I wasn't.
SEE ALSO | ‘Cristiano Ronaldo Wasn’t A Team Player, We Had To Convert Him' – Man Utd Coaches
“I couldn't understand why people hated me so much. They didn't know the truth.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago