Liverpool striker Michael Owen revealed that he has received death threats.
The England striker made his admission in the wake of Merseyside Police investigations into a sinister letter sent to Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.
Owen said: "Sadly, it has happened to me lots of times as well. It appears to be part and parcel of the game nowadays.
"It's not just letters either, some things have happened that could be considered even worse."
Owen has no doubt he and Houllier are among many personalities, including England captain David Beckham, who find themselves on the receiving end of such hate mail.
The England striker said: "These days it seems it can happen to anyone in a high-profile position.
"It is the kind of thing I do not think would have happened years ago but is happening to people in the game regularly now.
"There are things in football and in life which change, and this is one of the aspects which has come into football more and more."
"If you speak to David Beckham I am sure he will tell you this kind of thing has happened to him about a dozen times," said Owen.
"To be honest, although it is unfair and awful, nothing surprises me any more."
The threat to Houllier is being investigated by Merseyside Police
Owen sympathises with his manager, who has come in for persistent flak in recent months of Liverpool's perceived under-achievement.
The England forward added: "I am as surprised by it as anyone else.
"There is no place for this kind of thing in the game or in life.
"But, knowing the manager as I do, he is handling it in the right way.
"He knows it is just one person and he will see it for what it is. You cannot let it get to you."