A British rugby league player is under investigation after allegedly posting distasteful jokes about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on a social networking site.

Leeds Rhinos prop Ryan Bailey is alleged to have written the comments on his Facebook page, although they have since been taken down.

Leeds says an internal investigation is under way and the club is "taking the allegations very seriously."

The 27-year-old Bailey, who has played four times for both Britain and England, has yet to play in the English Super League this season because of injury.

American comedian Gilbert Gottfried was fired by insurance company Aflac on Monday after posting mocking jokes about the earthquake and tsunami on Twitter.

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