Former Sale Sharks winger Tom Brady has hit back after a fan verbally abused his wife and mother while they watched him from the stands during a preseason friendly.
Brady was taking part in a warm-up game between Sale Jets -- the Sharks' academy side -- and Sale FC at Heywood Road on Friday night.
Brady, 27, is unattached after leaving Leicester Tigers at the end of last season and said the incident had left his family very upset.
"Disappointed ... that one bloke on the sideline took it upon himself to target both my wife and my mum, who were there to support me, to hurl abuse of me," Brady said via his Twitter account.
"Both were very upset from the confrontation and I wonder if he would have shared these opinions and delivered them in such a way to my dad and uncles.
"This kind of behaviour is not what the game's about and hopefully he is waking up very embarrassed today."
Sale Sharks confirmed they had begun an investigation into the incident in the wake of Brady's allegations.
"The club and Sale FC are looking into the matter immediately and will take the required action against any fans found to be verbally abusing players, staff or fellow supporters," Sale Sharks said in a statement.
Former teammate Johnny Leota rallied behind Brady, saying on Twitter:
"Really? If this is you you should be ashamed of yourself. A top man who has done a lot for our club. No one deserves to be treated like this."