A man has been arrested after a racist comment was posted on Facebook about a Premier League footballer.
The 43-year-old, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, was held overnight on suspicion of racial harassment and has been bailed until November 28.
It is believed the remark was made about Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi.
Northumbria Police said the post has now been removed.
Ameobi has played for Newcastle since 2000
The incident comes ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC on Sunday.
It is the second time this year that Ameobi has suffered alleged racist abuse on the social networking site after police were contacted in February.
His younger brother, Sammy, was also the victim of racism last year when he was abused on Twitter by two teenagers who eventually received warnings from the police.