Rugby league club Leeds Rhinos today issued a statement to address a sick post on Facebook that falsely claimed Rob Burrow has died.
The Rhinos moved swiftly to urge the public not to share any of the content, calling the post 'totally untrue and upsetting for the family'.
The Super League side said Burrow, a Leeds legend who has motor neurone disease (MND), is fine and looking forward to enjoying the sunny Bank Holiday weekend with his family. It's understood a fake Facebook account was set up today to spread what the club called 'hateful news'.
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A post on Facebook by a page with the name 'Leeds Rhinos' falsely claimed that Burrow had died at 8am this morning, Saturday, reports Leeds Live.
The club went on to confirm it had contacted Facebook's owners to complain.
The fake post said: "Breaking News. Rob Burrow sadly passed away this morning at 8am. You were an inspiration on and off the pitch. Rest in peace."
Leeds Rhinos' tweet reads: "Please do not share any content on social media regarding Rob. The fake account that was set up today on Facebook to spread hateful news that is totally untrue and upsetting for the family. Rob is fine and looking forward to enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend with his family."
On Facebook, the club also confirmed they have 'reported' the offensive post to Meta, adding they 'hope it will be taken down as social as possible'.
The initial fake post attracted over 2,000 likes and over 9,000 shares. The post by Leeds Rhinos' official Twitter account has attracted dozens of comments, with many sickened by the lies being spread on social media.
@PeterLister13 wrote: "why do some people do things like that, seriously sick individuals out there!!!!" @MatthewBeswick1 posted: "That sick f*** needs hunting down and teaching a lesson. Horrible person.
@joshjacksonlrfc tweeted: "Absolutely disgusting that people in this world do it. How sad must you be to create a fake account just to spread fake news! Sad life," with @GazSpedding posting: "What B****** would do that very, very sick interval I hope the police get involved."
Another Facebook poster said: "Some people are absolutely vile, totally sick to do something like that."
Burrow, 40, recently completed the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon in Leeds with the help of his best friend Kevin Sinfield, who carried him over the finish line.
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