Footballer sparks fury after bragging online about his tattoo that spells out 'LOVE'... using images of guns and a GRENADE





Premier League footballer Jay Bothroyd has been criticised for posting online a photograph of his new tattoo that shows four weapons.



The 30-year-old QPR striker had a flick-knife inked on his torso, along with a hand grenade, a pistol and a machine gun.



Bothroyd posted the picture on his Instagram account with the message: 'My new tatt!!!'

Sideshow: Jay Bothroyd posted a photo of his new tattoo on the photo-sharing website Instagram

He claimed the tattoos are artistic because they spell out the word L-O-V-E.

Bothroyd, who previously dated model and presenter Lisa Snowdon, told The Sun: 'The meaning is you have to fight for love. It reads ‘Love’ if some people can’t see. More than anything it’s artistic.'



Some fans disagreed. One responded: 'Int [sic] there enough knifes in London?'. Another wrote: 'You’re a footballer not a gangster.' A third posted: 'What an absolute t*t you are.'



Anti-violence campaigners also criticised the star. Richard Taylor, 64, father of Damilola, ten, who was stabbed to death by youths 13 years ago in Peckham, south London said: 'This tattoo is outrageous and an insult to victims’ families. '



He told The Sun: 'Jay Bothroyd is supposed to be a role model to young people, but he should be ashamed of his actions. He must immediately apologise for the offence caused.'

Love? Bothroyd said the design was artistic because it spells out L-O-V-E Danny Bryan, founder of the London-based Communities Against Gun and Knife Crime, told the Mail Online that footballers should be better educated in the impact of such actions. 'These footballers should have a bit more about them and maybe his agent should guide him better,' he said. Earlier this week pop icon Rita Ora was accused of promoting gun culture after posting a picture of her posing with a pistol on Instagram.

The photo shows the 'RIP' singer holding a gold handgun alongside R&B star Cassie and singer and actress Adrienne Bailon. She assured fans the gun was a fake after she was criticised for glamourising gun crime.

Bothroyd deleted the photo from Instagram yesterday evening after The Sun contacted his club. His agent Sky Andrew did not comment. Meaning: the QPR striker said the tattoo signified that love has to be fought for. More than anything, it's artistic, he said Shame: Richard Taylor, father of murdered Damilola (pictured), said Bothroyd should be ashamed of his actions