Chelsea boss Avram Grant is sent racist death threat package laced with 'lethal' powder

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The clubs training ground in Cobham, Surrey, was sealed off after a member of staff opened a package containing a letter and a quantity of white powder.

The note said the powder was lethal and specialist police and fire teams raced to the scene yesterday.

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Chelsea coach Avram Grant and his wife Tzofit have stepped up security after the couple received death and sexual threats in letters sent to the club's training ground

Surrey police said today that tests revealed the powder was harmless but officers are believed to have given advice on security to Israeli Grant, 52, and his wife Tzofit, 43, who have two children.

One note read: "You are a back-stabbing Jewish b*****d. When you open this letter you will die a very slow and painful death." A second message made sexual threats against his wife, adding: "Then she will die."

Grant was subjected to racist abuse from some fans after replacing José Mourinho as manager last September.

Many fans blamed Grant, a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, for the Russian's decision to axe Mourinho.

Last year, the number of violent attacks and threats against Jewish people reached a record high.

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A package laced with powder was sent to Grant at the club's training ground in Surrey

A Chelsea source said: "There was panic at the training ground - the note said the powder would kill.

"This is a very specific Chelsea threat and a very threatening note which cannot be ignored.

"Specific actions are being put in place to ensure Mr and Mrs Grant are safe."

The source told The Sun: "Avram got a lot of abuse at first, but that was from a tiny element and it had all but gone away."

Grant and his team were not at the training complex, having flown to Athens for last night's Champions League match with Olympiakos.

Surrey police said: "We are investigating a suspicious package which was received at the Chelsea training club.

"A white powder found in the package was analysed by specialists and has been determined to be harmless."