Victor Lindelof has blasted the 'sick' fans who sent him threats after he withdrew from Sweden's squad for two Euro 2020 qualifiers.
The Man Utd defender was selected to face Romania and Norway in the respective ties, but pulled out as his wife was due to give birth.
Lindelof and his partner Maja have since welcomed a baby son over the weekend.
However his announcement to remove himself from the squad was met with threats from fans, with police now investigating the matter after receiving contact from the Swedish FA.
Lindelof said: "I have not followed it so much [the criticism] but focused on what has been important to me and that is Maja.
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"People always wonder what lies behind things. What I cannot understand is how people cannot respect that is a personal reason.
"For me it is quite sick that you can not only respect it and release it.
"But then, well, you play football you have to share everything that happens in one's life.
"So maybe it is, but for me it is completely sick."
Sweden have so far managed perfectly well without Lindelof - who has been in impressive form for United.
They saw off Romania 2-1 after two first half goals, leaving them joint top of Group F going into Tuesday's match with Norway.
