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Footballer sparks fury after bragging online about his tattoo that spells out 'LOVE'… using images of guns and a GRENADE
By
Abigail Frymann
PUBLISHED:
08:59 GMT, 20 April 2013
|
UPDATED:
11:12 GMT, 20 April 2013
Premier League footballer Jay Bothroyd has been criticised for posting online a photograph of his new tattoo that shows four weapons.
The 30-year-old QPR striker had a flick-knife inked on his torso, along with a hand grenade, a pistol and a machine gun.
Bothroyd posted the picture on his Instagram account with the message: 'My new tatt!!!'
Sideshow: Jay Bothroyd posted a photo of his new tattoo on the photo-sharing website Instagram. He has since deleted it
He claimed the tattoos are artistic because they spell out the word L-O-V-E.
Bothroyd, who previously dated model and presenter Lisa Snowdon, told The Sun: 'The meaning is you have to fight for love. It reads ‘Love’ if some people can’t see. More than anything it’s artistic.'
Some fans disagreed. One responded: 'Int [sic] there enough knifes in London'. Another wrote: 'You’re a footballer not a gangster.' A third posted: 'What an absolute t*t you are.'
Spelling it out: Bothroyd said the design was artistic because it spells out L-O-V-E but campaigners said it was outrageous
Meaning: the QPR striker said the tattoo signified that love has to be fought for. More than anything, it's artistic, he said
Shame: Richard Taylor, father of murdered Damilola (pictured), said Bothroyd should be ashamed of his actions
Anti-violence campaigners also criticised the star. Richard Taylor, 64, father of Damilola, ten, who was stabbed to death by youths 13 years ago in Peckham, south London said: 'This tattoo is outrageous and an insult to victims’ families.'
He told The Sun: 'Jay Bothroyd is supposed to be a role model to young people, but he should be ashamed of his actions. He must immediately apologise for the offence caused.'
Charge: Singer Rita Ora was accused of promoting gun culture this week after posting this picture of herself holding a golden pistol
Earlier this week pop icon Rita Ora was accused of promoting gun culture after posting a picture of her posing with a pistol on Instagram.
The photo shows the 'RIP' singer holding a gold handgun alongside R&B star Cassie and singer and actress Adrienne Bailon. She assured fans the gun was a fake after she was criticised for glamourising gun crime.
Bothroyd deleted the photo from Instagram yesterday evening after The Sun contacted his club. His agent Sky Andrew did not comment.