A police investigation has begun after officers were contacted when Newcastle United's James Perch was targeted on Sunday after a clash with Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina ended with the Spaniard receiving a red card during his side's 2-0 loss, reports The Guardian. A Twitter user, believed to be a 17-year-old Liverpool fan who works at a supermarket, tweeted: "I want to punch perch in his n***** head!" The tweet ended by calling the Newcastle defender a c***.
Other Twitter users immediately rounded on the abuser, telling him police would be informed.
A call about the abuse Perch received was made to Northumbria police, but because the complainant was from County Durham, officers from that force will take up the issue. A Durham police spokesman said: "Northumbria police contacted us yesterday afternoon after a member of the public complained about allegedly racist comments posted on Twitter. As the complainant lives in County Durham the matter was referred to Durham Constabulary and an appointment has been made for an officer to visit them and take further details."
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