A TEENAGER has been arrested over malicious tweets sent to the footballer at the centre of controversy over the tackle which injured Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara.

The 17-year-old Northumberland youth was arrested following a report of malicious communication sent to Wigan Athletic’s Callum McManaman.

Northumbria Police said the youth received a fixed penalty notice, the equivalent of an automatic small ‘fine’.

It came amid the war of words in the wake of the United defender being stretchered from the field following a challenge with the Wigan midfield player during Sunday’s Premier League match, which the Latics won 2-1, at the DW Stadium.

McManaman has since come in for abuse via his Twitter page, some of which was said to take the form of death threats.

A Northumbria police spokesman said today: “On Monday March 18 we received a third party report of a malicious communication on Twitter.

“As a result, a 17-year-old boy from the Ashington area was arrested on suspicion of making malicious communication and received a fixed penalty notice.”

A Wigan Athletic spokesman added: “We’ve been made aware of some unsavoury comments made on Twitter.

“We understand that reports were made to the police and they have dealt with the matter.

“No one wants to see this. Everyone’s focus should be on the welfare of the Newcastle player.”

News of the arrest follows yesterday’s confirmation by the FA that no action is to be taken against McManaman, having escaped punishment during Sunday’s heated match, as referee Mark Halsey did not see the full extent of the challenge from a distance, obscured by other players.

But as one of the other match officials, assistant referee Mark Wilkes, is said to have had a better view, under this season’s FA regulations, no retrospective action can be taken against the player involved.

It will allow McManaman to play in Wigan’s forthcoming first ever appearance in an FA Cup semi-final, when the Latics face Millwall, at Wembley.

But, as a result of the half-time confrontation as the players were leaving the field, both United assistant manager John Carver and Wigan coach Graham Barrow have been charged with misconduct.

Carver was dismissed during the half-time interval and spent the second half of Sunday’s game watching from the stand.

Haidara, who received hospital treatment for injuries to his knee ligaments and thigh after Sunday’s challenge, is said to be making progress.

He has undergone a scan and will be further tested next week to ascertain the full extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, United’s managing director Derek Llambias has criticised the FA's decision-making process, describing it as “not fit for purpose”.

But the Wigan owner Dave Whelan, an ex-professional footballer whose own career was ended by injury, saw nothing wrong with the tackle.

More Crime News