Northumbria police have launched an investigation into alleged racial abuse of Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi on social network site Facebook.

The 30-year-old is believed to have been victim of racist comments on the website, which prompted the Premier League club to contact the authorities.

"We have liaised with Northumbria police and the matter is now in their hands," a spokeswoman for Newcastle said. "We have a zero-tolerance approach to racism and will always seek to take the strongest possible action."

The police added: "We have received a report of racist comments made on Facebook, on which we're working closely with Newcastle United. Northumbria police take all reports of racist abuse very seriously and inquiries are being conducted."

The comments under investigation have now been deleted from the website.