Police to investigate claims Yaya Toure was racially abused on Twitter

LONDON - British police have been called to investigate claims Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was racially abused on Twitter, anti-discrimination charity Kick it Out have revealed.

The 31-year-old Ivory Coast international was reportedly subjected to a string of abusive and racist messages hours afters reactivating his Twitter account on Monday.

"We are informing the Police of racist tweets directed @yayatoure earlier this evening (Monday) and offer him our full support," Kick it Out wrote on Twitter.

Greater Manchester Police said it had been "made aware" of the abuse claims, according to the BBC.

Toure closed down his Twitter account five months ago in order to concentrate on the Ivory Coast's campaign at the World Cup in Brazil.

Announcing his return to the social networking website following City's 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday, he tweeted: "Great to be back on twitter after a good win yesterday. Now my focus is on the next game... Happy Monday everyone!!"

He received several abusive messages from other Twitter users in reply.