Police investigate racist tweet claim aimed at Newcastle defender James Perch

Liverpool's Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina (R) confronts Newcastle United's James Perch (2ndL) next to Newcastle United's Senegalese striker Demba Ba, before being sent-off (GETTY IMAGES)

A police investigation has begun after another footballer was racially abused on Twitter. Officers were contacted when Newcastle United's James Perch was targeted on Sunday.

A Durham Police spokesman confirmed that Northumbria Police had passed details of the allegation to them as the complainant lives in the Durham area and an officer would visit them to take further details.

Police yesterday charged a man over an alleged racist gesture made during Liverpool's FA Cup win over Manchester United in January. Phillip Gannon, 58, of Heol Meirion, Barmouth, north Wales, has been charged with a racially aggravated section five public order offence and a section five public order offence.