Anti-discrimination campaigners offered their support to Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli after he was racially abused on Twitter.
The 24-year-old Italian striker was bombarded with foul messages after he tweeted "Man Utd...LOL" in response to the club's shock 5-3 defeat at Leicester in the Premier League.
Kick It Out have since contacted police after social media users made them aware of the tweets.
A spokesperson said: "We extend our support to Mario Balotelli after the appalling racist abuse directed at him on Twitter earlier today.
"A large number of social media users alerted us to the messages by tweeting our official account and we have since reported this via True Vision – the Police's online reporting facility.
"During the 2013/14 season, 50% of all complaints submitted to us from across the game related to social media abuse.
"The issue has been escalating and we urge fellow social media users to assist in bringing this type of abuse to the attention of the authorities by reporting directly to True Vision."
Merseyside Police have confirmed they are looking into the relevant comments.
In a statement, they said: "We can confirm officers are looking into offensive comments made on Twitter about Mario Balotelli earlier today."
