A man has been arrested after ex-Premier League star and football pundit Stan Collymore reported racist abuse on Twitter, according to reports.
A 21-year-old man from Tyneside was being held on suspicion of racially-aggravated harassment.
Northumbria Police began inquiries after they were informed in the early hours of an allegation received by Staffordshire Police.
A spokeswoman said: "Just after midnight police received a complaint of racist comments that had been made on Twitter. Officers are carrying out inquiries."
Collymore, 40, originally from Cannock, Staffordshire, played for a string of top clubs, including Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
He works as a broadcaster for talkSPORT, campaigns against racism and is a supporter of the charity Depression Alliance.
Police are also investigating alleged racist abuse directed at an Oldham Athletic player in Friday night's game against Liverpool at Anfield.