Racist tweets aimed at Carlton Cole being investigated

Essex Police have confirmed that they are investigating racist Twitter posts sent to West Ham united striker Carlton Cole.

The England international retweeted two posts following his team's 3-0 loss to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

Both posts criticised Cole's performance, as well as using a racist term to describe the 28-year-old.

Cole posted on his account: "Listen, i take racism a lot lighter than others and i do understand the banter that comes a long with it to get under peoples skin but...

"...but just say that, whether i am crap or had a bad game has nothing to do with my race, creed or religion. lets just keep it FOOTBALL. Kapeesh?"

Cole has been racially abused previously, during a Carling Cup match against Millwall in 2009.