Vardy feels like a hunted Fox

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy said he has been subjected to death threats and his wife has been targeted by angry motorists after allegations he had a hand in last month's firing of Claudio Ranieri as manager of the Foxes.

The 30-year-old striker, on England duty for this week's friendly with Germany and a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, said he was subjected to verbal abuse while walking along the street and that his wife had been repeatedly cut off while driving.

Ranieri left the Midlands club in February, just nine months after winning the Premier League title, with Leicester 17th in the standings and battling relegation.

Vardy has since faced accusations of influencing the club's decision to dismiss the Italian coaching legend.

An allegation that Vardy attended a meeting called by Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at East Midlands airport hours after the 2-1 loss at Sevilla in a Champions league last 16 first-leg tie on Feb 23 prompted the abuse, the player said.

Several Leicester players, backed up by Ranieri's successor and former assistant Craig Shakespeare, have denied media reports there was a revolt against Ranieri.

"It is terrifying," Vardy told the BBC on Monday.

"I read one story that said I was personally involved in a meeting after the Sevilla game, when I was actually sitting in anti-doping for three hours.

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

Vardy has not accused Leicester fans of abuse and has not considered reporting it to the police.

Asked where the abuse came from, Vardy said: "On social media, you name it - walking down the street.

"To be honest I get them (taunts) every week. Fans don't seem to like me. I just get on with it, but when people are trying to cut your missus off while she's driving along with the kids in the back of the car, it's not the best. It's happened plenty."

Vardy said there was no problem between Ranieri and the Leicester players during the former manager's time in charge.

"Basically if there was an issue you went and sorted it out in his office, man-to-man.

"Or you went and did it on the tactics board, because he was happy for you to come in and put your opinion across.

"The stories were quite hurtful, to be honest with you. A lot of false accusations were being thrown out there and there was nothing we, as players, could do about it."

Reuters