SALE SHARKS stars have been sent DEATH THREATS and sick online abuse over the Black Lives Matter movement.

England and Sale winger Marland Yarde revealed the disgusting treatment of his mates following Premiership Rugby's return.

SunSport understands that Shark's white South African players have been the target after not taking the knee, but supporting equality by wearing 'Rugby Against Racism' t-shirts before games.

Yarde revealed on Twitter: "I stand 100% for the Black Lives Matter movement and wholeheartedly believe in the importance of highlighting the continuous battle that we face in society everyday and the need for a change.

"I have to also stand against death threats against my teammates which is totally unacceptable. This behaviour will not make the world a better place.

"We are united we are a team!! #blacklivesmatter #rugbyagainstracism"

Just last week South Africa's Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa demanded an explanation as to why World Cup winners Faf de Klerk and Lood de Jager, plus twins Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez‚ their older brother Robert, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen and club captain Jono Ross did not kneel.

Mthethwa said: "You must remember we were together at the World Cup in Japan as a country, with some of the players.

"And one thing which cannot be tolerated is when somebody is displaying racist behaviour and showing racist attitude.

"The Black Lives Movement is important because the rot and the pain has been faced by black players here in South Africa.

"Racism is no longer in the statute books but some are practising it covertly and we will hunt them down because we know the pain that is caused by this cancer called racism.

"We do not want to jump the gun on the specific matter of the South African players in England who didn't kneel in support of BLM, but we want to understand what's happening and what is the position of SA Rugby in this whole thing.

"We noted they were wearing t-shirts which support BLM but they did not kneel.

"Upon seeing this‚ I interacted with SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and asked him to explain what's happening so that we are on the same wavelength.

"He did say they are going to have their own meeting and will make their views known."

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