This Former Chelsea And Arsenal Player May Return To The English Premier League After Receiving Death Threats In Brazil
JAKARTA - Former Chelsea and Arsenal player, Willian, has left Brazilian club Corinthians. The reason, he and his family continue to get death threats after his club was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.
Corinthians were left out after losing 0-3 on aggregate to their arch-rivals Flamengo. This result then made a number of fans disappointed and angry. There were also players who were targeted, including Willian.
As reported by Antara from AFP, Willian received death threats through social media. The decision to leave the club was finally taken to protect the safety of his family.
"Willian asked us to terminate (the contract). We are sad not to have him again and also because it did not go as expected," said Corinthians president, Duilio Monteiro Alaves.
Willian said he and his family always received death threats when Corinthians lost. Even when Corinthians won but he played badly, the threat was still there.
Not only threats, some people also insulted the former Brazil national team player on social media. "My wife, my children, recently they also attacked my father and sister," said Willian.
"I didn't play as well as I expected, but I'm not a player who can score 20 or 30 goals in a season," he continued, as reported by ESPN.
Willian also delivered his farewell speech via his Instagram account. He said goodbye and thanked the Brazilian club.
The news circulating, Willian will return to the English Premier League after breaking Corinthians' contract. Promotional club Fulham are said to want to use the services of the 34-year-old player.