Arrest over racist tweets to Northampton Town players

Clarke Carlisle was one of two players to receive racists tweets

A man has been arrested on suspicion of sending racist tweets to two League Two footballers.

The 25-year-old, from Cheltenham, was held in Gloucestershire as part of an investigation into tweets sent to Northampton Town players.

Tweets were sent to Adebayo Akinfenwa and Clarke Carlisle, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

The man was held on suspicion of a racially aggravated crime and has since been released on bail, police said.

The incident is jointly being investigated by Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire Police.

'Live investigation'

A Northampton Town spokesman said: "We became aware of some tweets that had been sent to our players on Wednesday evening and we immediately notified the police.

"As this is a live investigation it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

The man was arrested under the Malicious Communications Act and was also held on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Gloucestershire Police said he was due to answer bail on 22 May at Cheltenham police station.

The arrest came four days after Northampton Town beat Cheltenham Town 1-0 in the second leg of their League Two play-off semi final.

The Cobblers face Bradford City on 18 May for a place in League One.