Instagram account removed after football racism

Elijah Adebayo (right) celebrates scoring at Sunderland, but a racist message was sent to his Instagram account during the match

Social media company Meta has taken down an Instagram account after a Championship footballer was targeted by racist abuse.

Luton Town FC said forward Elijah Adebayo was sent a racially abusive message during their 2-1 defeat by Sunderland on Wednesday.

It is not the first time Luton have called out racist remarks sent to Adebayo online, with the 26-year-old saying last October he was "tired" of the abuse aimed at him.

Meta confirmed it was in touch with the club, who also alerted police to the incident.

"We're angry, upset and frustrated to report that racist abuse has been directed towards Elijah Adebayo," the club said on their website, in a statement titled 'Is It Ever Going to Stop?'.

"To the individual who cowardly dropped into Elijah's DMs: We know who you are and you know who you are. You're not a faceless account, one which we have sadly become accustomed to reporting in recent years.

"Just like we said a year ago, and just like we will do WHENEVER a player or staff member is subjected to abuse, we will stand by and support Elijah unequivocally."

Luton Town FC said its footballers Jacob Brown and Mads Anderson had recently visited Ferrars Junior School for an anti-discrimination workshop. It has also previously joined the Premier League's No Room for Racism campaign.

“We are all Luton and we will continue to support and champion these initiatives until such time that the message gets through to the ignorant minority," the club added.