POLICE are investigating after Newcastle United striker Sammy Ameobi was subjected to racist abuse on Twitter.

The remark was posted on the social networking website on Sunday evening Today, the Magpies issued a statement on its website saying it was aware of the remark and the club and the player had reported it to the police.

The statement said: "The club and Sammy have reported the matter to the police, who are now dealing with the incident.

"The racist comment is wholly unacceptable. Newcastle United will not tolerate racism of any kind and will take the strongest possible action against those responsible."

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman confirmed the matter had been reported to the force and it was being investigated.

Ameobi, 19, was born in Newcastle of Nigerian descent, the brother of fellow Magpies forward Shola Ameobi. He has opted to represent Nigeria and has trained with the nation’s under-20s squad.

On his Twitter account, he posted: ‘Sad to see some people are still racist nowadays’.

The account from which the racist comment was made has since been deleted.