POLICE are investigating after being called in by Southampton Football Club over racist abuse aimed at defender Kyle Walker-Peters.

Saints are demanding action from social media platforms after the full-back was targeted with a series of offensive replies, including monkey emojis, to his Twitter and Instagram posts.

It followed Sunday’s goalless Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Fellow Saints defender Armel Bella-Kotchap and United winger Alejandro Garnacho were also targeted.

Vile comments were visible on the social media accounts of Walker-Peters for several hours before being removed. 

READ MORE: Saints manager Ruben Selles rates leader Kyle Walker-Peters

Saints fans were quick to support the 25-year-old England star with Mike Gritt calling the abusers "abhorrent, nasty and bitter keyboard warriors" while Hugh Acland described them as "ignorant nobodies".

Saints released a powerful statement, condemning the abuse.

It read: "In February 2021 the club made a statement about one of our young players receiving abhorrent racial abuse following a match against Manchester United.

"More than two years on, we find ourselves in the exact same position: disgusted and disappointed in the behaviour of those online who lower themselves to abusing players for the colour of their skin.

"What is equally frustrating is the lack of meaningful action in those two years from the social media platforms who allow such hatred to breed and fester."

They confirmed they had forwarded messages to Hampshire police and reported posts to the social media platforms involved.

"We can only hope that they finally pay attention to what continues to be a major problem and that we do not find ourselves repeating these words in another two years time," the statement added.

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A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they are liaising with the club and enquiries are ongoing.

The FA strongly condemned the abuse while Kick It Out said they were "appalled", adding: "Last month, we reiterated our call for social media companies and the government to act swiftly to introduce meaningful reforms that protect those who play, watch and work in football."

Twitter outlined steps to combat racist abuse on the platform, adding that it condemns racism in all its forms.

Instagram said it doesn't tolerate attacks on people based on their race and has strengthened its rules, banning more implicit forms of hate speech.