NATIONAL BRIEFING / NEW YORK

The Rev. Al Sharpton has threatened to sue conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh for writing in a column that the civil rights leader had played a role in two New York race riots.

In a column Saturday in the Wall Street Journal about his derailed bid to become part-owner of the St. Louis Rams, Limbaugh accused Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson of making comments that helped get him booted from a group that was trying to buy the NFL team.

Limbaugh derided Sharpton as having played “a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot” and the “1995 Freddie’s Fashion Mart riot.”

Those comments prompted a quick retort from Sharpton, who called both allegations false.

“Unless Mr. Limbaugh apologizes and clarifies his statements, attorneys for Rev. Sharpton will move forward with a lawsuit,” said a written statement released by Sharpton’s spokeswoman.