Police probe threat against Grant

LONDON (Reuters) - Police are investigating an apparent death threat made against Avram Grant, the Israeli coach of Chelsea Football Club.

A package containing a white powder was left at the team's training ground on Tuesday, police in Surrey said on Wednesday. Media said notes threatening Grant and his wife were left with it.

"When you open this letter you will die a very slow and painful death," the Sun quoted one of the notes as saying.

It said a second message made threats against his wife, Tzofit, a high-profile personality in Israel.

Grant and his wife were not available for comment. A spokesman for Chelsea Football Club confirmed the receipt of a suspicious package at the training ground but would not comment further.

Grant took over as Chelsea coach from Jose Mourinho last September after the Portuguese manager fell out with the club's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

A spokeswoman for Surrey police said the powder had been analysed by specialists who had determined that it was harmless.

"Detectives are continuing their investigations in order to determine the source of the package," the spokeswoman said.

Previously Chelsea's director of football, Grant, 52, is said by some to have got the main coaching job because he is close to Abramovich.

(Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Robert Woodward)