A MAN has been arrested over the alleged racially abuse of former Newcastle striker Demba Ba on Facebook.

Senegalese star Ba, who joined Chelsea this month, was subjected to abuse about his religion.

The post was made on a football forum on the social networking site, called 'North East Banter Page For The Top Three Big Clubs' and it is understood the comment, which included swear words allegedly aimed at Ba, a devout Muslim, has since been removed.

A 39-year-old man from Gateshead has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated harassment and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Anti-racism campaigners have condemned the comment, which was posted after it was confirmed Ba was leaving Newcastle United.

Paul Kearns, deputy chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, said it was completely unacceptable.

He said: "Social networking sites have seen a proliferation of racist comments over the last year or two, with both Shola Ameobi and Fraizer Campbell receiving appalling abuse on Twitter recently.

"Police action was taken in both of those cases and we hope it will be taken seriously this time in order to stamp out this discrimination."

Ba is expected to return to St James' Park this weekend with his Chelsea team mates when the two sides face each other for the first time since he switched sides.