The Who - Townshend Upset By Pre-Super Bowl Attack

THE WHO star PETE TOWNSHEND has been left "really saddened" by the actions of child welfare groups in the Miami, Florida area after officials posted flyers warning of the rocker's impending arrival to homes near Sunday's (07Feb10) Super Bowl site.

The My Generation star was arrested and placed on Britain's sex offenders list in 2003 after he was involved in a child pornography scandal - and members of U.S. group Protect Our Children wanted to remind parents living near the Sun Life Stadium that he would be in the area this week (beg01Feb10), preparing for The Who's much-anticipated half-time appearance.

Townsend, who admitted using his credit card to view images on a child porn website, insisted he was researching a book. He was never convicted and later cleared.

The rocker's past came back to haunt him last month (Jan10) when thousands of the flyers, featuring an unflattering photo of the star and a warning to parents, were sent to homes in Miami - and he was upset by the "vigilantism" of the activists.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday (04Feb10), Townshend said, "I've been really saddened by it, and concerned about it.

"Anybody that has any doubts about whether I should be here or not should investigate a little bit further."