Colin Kazim-Richards: Police investigate racist abuse of Derby County striker
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Colin Kazim-Richards (left) celebrates after scoring Derby's equaliser against Nottingham Forest
Derbyshire Police are investigating racist abuse aimed at Derby County's Colin Kazim-Richards on social media following Friday's game with Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.
The striker, 34, scored the Rams' late equaliser in the 1-1 draw.
Derby said they were "disgusted" by the abuse and reported it to the police.
"No-one should be subject to racial abuse or hate-based crimes and reports of this nature will always be taken seriously," the force said.
"The messages were received shortly after the fixture with Nottingham Forest on Friday, 26 February and inquiries are ongoing."
In a statement, Derby, who are 18th in the league table, said they have a "zero-tolerance stance to discrimination".
"It should be clear, there is no place in sport or society for racism," the club said., external
"The abuse received by Colin resulted in him having to have a conversation with his young children to explain why, in this day and age, racism and discrimination still exists.
"Social media abuse is, sadly, becoming more common and it is all too easy for individuals to hide behind an account. This cannot continue."
Former Turkey forward Kazim-Richards signed a new contract with the Rams before Friday's game.
Forest said they were "extremely disappointed" by the abuse and "wholeheartedly support" Derby for reporting it to the police.
"Any form of racist abuse is abhorrent and has no place in football or society," a statement said.
"The persons involved in this hate crime do not appear to claim to be supporters of our club but, if they are, we will not hesitate in taking the firmest possible action."
In recent weeks, Chelsea players Reece James and Antonio Rudiger, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, Arsenal winger Willian and Brentford striker Ivan Toney are among the footballers to have suffered racist abuse on social media platforms.
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