'Racist' tweets to Collymore probed

Police have begun an investigation after ex-Premier League star and football pundit Stan Collymore was allegedly the victim of racist abuse on Twitter.

Northumbria Police confirmed they have begun inquiries after they were informed in the early hours of an allegation received by Staffordshire Police.

A spokeswoman said: “Just after midnight police received a complaint of racist comments that had been made on Twitter.

“Officers are carrying out inquiries.”

Collymore, 40, originally from Cannock, Staffordshire, played for a string of top clubs, including Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

He works as a broadcaster for talkSPORT, campaigns against racism and is a supporter of the charity Depression Alliance.

It was believed the allegedly racist tweets were sent by someone in the Tyneside area.