Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RICE IN DEATH THREAT SHOCK
Trolls target player, 20 over switch from Ireland
SOCCER star Declan Rice has been subjected to vile death threats after leaving Ireland behind to change his international allegiance to England.
The West Ham player announced this week he was switching sides after months of deliberation, admitting in a lengthy statement on social media that the decision was an “extremely difficult” one.
But he was then at the centre of shocking taunts, with some fans reminding the young midfielder of when he kissed the Ireland crest during one appearance.
One tweeted: “We’re gonna have a party... when Declan Rice dies.”
Another added: “I hope he dies a very very painful death this evening.”
The 20-year-old shot to prominence in 2017 and has been a mainstay with his London club and could earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s next squad.
Rice said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision and, in all honesty, not one I ever expected to be making at this stage of my career.
“So much has happened, so quickly, in the past couple of years, from progressing through the West Ham United Academy to making my Premier League debut at the age of 18 and then being named in a full international squad just two days later.
“Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality. I am a proud Englishman, having been born and raised in London.
“However, I am just as proud of my family’s Irish heritage and my affinity and connection with the country. I have equal respect and love for both England and Ireland and therefore the national team I choose to represent is not a clear-cut, simple selection.
“I fully accept some Irish supporters will be disappointed and everyone has different opinions in regard to the rules around international representation.
“However, I hope people can understand I have made this decision with honesty, integrity and the full support of my family.”