Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has described the online abuse that he has been subjected to as a "disgrace".
The Ivory Coast international reactivated his Twitter presence following a five-month absence after Sunday's Manchester derby and received multiple discriminatory messages that have been reported to Greater Manchester Police by anti-racism organisation Kick It Out.
This afternoon he spoke out on the issue, telling BBC Sport that online abuse such as he received has to stop.
"For me, it's a disgrace to be honest," the 31-year-old said. "We need to do something to try to tell people those kinds of behaviour have to stop.
"I want those people to understand what they're doing is wrong."
He also sent a second tweet from his new account - @YayaToure - today which read: "Thanks for all the welcome back tweets and support. Shame about ignorant minority. #StillFocused"
Toure's manager Manuel Pellegrini has expressed his confidence in the midfielder to not be distracted by the issue.
Pascal Lemesre
