Football star Asprilla fears for his life

BOGOTA - Colombian former football star Faustino "Tino" Asprilla said Monday that he had received more threats from a criminal gang that had forced him out of his home city in fear for his life.

Asprilla, 45, whose career included stints in Italy and England, fled Tulua, in western Colombia, last week, only to be on the end of more threats when he recently returned.

"I go back to Tulua and some thug now threatens my family via text message," Asprilla, who once hit a hat-trick against Barcelona while playing for Newcastle United, said on Twitter.

Masked men reportedly entered Asprilla's home last week demanding money and saying they would kill him and his family if they didn't pay up.