Update 11.39

A 21-YEAR-OLD man has received a police caution over a racial slur directed at former footballer Stan Collymore.

Northumbria Police confirmed the University of Sunderland student has been released from custody.

The allegedly racist comment was made via Twitter and reported to authorities just before 10am on Tuesday.

A short time later, the man was arrested on suspicion of “publishing written material to stir up racial hatred”. Collymore has praised the police forces for the “prompt response to racism on twitter”.

The Irish Daily Star reports that the student being held is from Ireland but this could not be verified with authorities.

Collymore is a broadcaster and ex-Premier League footballer who has campaigned extensively to highlight the continuing problem of racism in football.

Earlier this year, 21-year-old Joseph Cryer escaped jail time despite admitting to sending offensive tweets to the 41-year-old. He was ordered to complete community work and pay a £150 fine.