West Bromwich Albion contacted the police over racist abuse sent on social media to Callum Robinson after the forward scored twice in a 5-2 victory at Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.
Monkey emojis were sent on Instagram to Robinson, who is Black, from an account purporting to be a Chelsea fan but without a full name or photo. Robinson posted a screengrab of the abuse on Instagram Stories.
“The club is appalled by the messages and will offer Callum the help and support he may require in response to the incident,” West Brom said in a statement.
“Albion will continue to confront all forms of discrimination and will assist the authorities with their inquiries, seeking the toughest available legal punishment.
“It is deeply disturbing that scoring two goals in a football match can provoke a reaction of this kind,” the statement added.
West Brom remain second bottom but their first league win at Chelsea since 1978 gives them a glimmer of hope in the fight to avoid relegation.
(With inputs from Agencies)