POLICE are investigating claims that a fan shouted racist abuse during the Sunderland v Newcastle United derby.

It is understood the remark was made at Newcastle striker Demba Ba.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said yesterday (Monday, October 22): "There was one report of racist language having been used by a supporter in one area of the stadium. Enquiries into this report are ongoing."

Sunday's Premiership match - which ended in a 1-1 draw - largely passed without incident.

Ironically, it was Ba's own goal which drew Sunderland level.

There were only 15 arrests among a 47,000-plus capacity crowd at the Stadium of Light.

After the game, the 135th Wear-Tyne derby, police praised the behaviour of the majority of fans, saying there were “very few incidents’’ in the stadium.

During the game Sunderland supporters chanted that they wished Newcastle player Stephen Taylor was dead after he was earlier quoted as saying no Sunderland player was good enough to be in the Newcastle side.

In response, the 2,000-plus Newcastle fans in the upper tier of the North Stand chanted abuse about Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole, who missed the game through suspension.