Halmstad BK were drawing 0-0 against Solna side AIK in the match on Sunday, when defender Mohammed Ali Khan managed to net an own goal in the 93rd minute.

He first appeared to save the goal, before tapping it into the back of the net. The crazy turn of events sent social media users in Sweden into a frenzy, while by Monday morning TV4’s clip of the goal had been viewed more than 17,000 times.

The resulting loss for Halmstad threatened the club's hopes of remaining in the Allsvenskan league, while AIK were able to keep their title hopes alive after their unexpected win.

Khan apologised to fans on Twitter on Sunday, saying he “did not know you could feel this bad” after a mistake on the pitch.

But hours later he turned to social media again to reveal that he was being threatened following the incident.

“Hate me, call me stupid things, lie about me. But (…) to threaten me and my family, that’s the limit!!”.

He later told Sweden’s Aftonbladet newspaper that police had “taken the threats seriously” before posting that officers had turned up at his home to offer extra security.

“You threateners, police car’s waiting outside and guarding my children. Threatening my children’s life is so inhumane and low!” he wrote.

Halmstad’s chairman Tony Karlsson told Swedish broadcaster SVT that the team was supporting Khan and said that the player had spoken to a team councillor following the own goal.

“The only thing we can do is show that we are here. Through gestures and embraces we reveal that we are here,” he said.

Before the news of the death threats against Khan were reported, AIK coach Andreas Alm described how his side was breathing a sigh of relief that it had been given another shot at winning the Allsvenskan league.

“It's a really fine victory away from home in a difficult match,” he said.

AIK are now second in the table behind Norrköping and just above arch rivals IFK Göteborg. The Solna side currently holds the record for being the Swedish club with most seasons in the top flight.