Police probe Twitter abuse of Perch
PA Photos
James Perch was heavily involved in Newcastle's win over Liverpool on Sunday
A police investigation has begun after another Premier League footballer was racially abused on Twitter.
Officers were contacted when Newcastle's James Perch was targeted on Sunday after a clash with Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina ended with the Spaniard receiving a red card during his side's 2-0 loss.
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, and reminding the writer about what happened to student Liam Stacey, who was jailed for abusing the Bolton player Fabrice Muamba.
Stacey, 21, was jailed for 56 days after he admitted inciting racial hatred over remarks about the midfielder, who at the time was critically ill following his collapse during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham.
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."
Last month a student who abused football pundit Stan Collymore was ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid work.
Joshua Cryer, 21, from Jesmond, Newcastle, had set out to provoke a reaction from the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker and used a racial insult, Newcastle Magistrates heard.
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Wasn't going to go there Ste99 but they do seem to be leading the charge!!!
It's not even as though you can 'do a Hartlepool' & plead ignorance these days.
Perhaps he thought this was the easiest way to join his mates on the dole as, (if guilty) it (he) looks like becoming one of the majority again...
The real 1
Unfortunately I think your lot managed that in Belgium 28 years ago... 
sarcasm. Concerning the Perch / Reina incident , ,,,,, bring in goalmouth technology and the outcome with the use of a fourth official , of that incident would have been,,,,, a reversed decision , PERCH red REINA yellow , should be ashamed of himself feigning contact from the movement of Reinas head toward him , knowing it would more than likely get him a red which it did !! football has become such a dishonest game on and off the field !!
Why haven't the two major events that have surrounded football in England over the past 10 days or so , influenced the top flight clubs to try and bring back some respect ,humility and fair play back into the playing side of things , if the FA miss this moment in time they must be walking around with their eyes shut, ears closed and no idea how to use this time for the benefit of the game itself ,THE FOOTBALL FAMILY was a phrase that was used quite a bit , didn't look to much of a family at ST JAMES'S ( i know it's called something else now ? ) On april fools day !
YNWA
Ste99.....i've long since given up trying to look for the facts where you're concerned. If it's in the gutter press your lot will believe it in order to feed your own stilted beliefs. Your glass house gets bigger every day.
