27 August 2012 Last updated at 12:49 ET

Carlton Cole: Man bailed following racist Twitter abuse

Carlton Cole retweeted the posts which used a racist term to describe him

A man from Essex has been released on police bail in connection with racist Twitter posts sent to West Ham United footballer Carlton Cole.

The man, 22, from Southend was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

The comments, which Cole retweeted on his account, questioned his performance and used a racist term to describe him.

The man has been released on bail until 28 September pending further inquiries.

The 28-year-old striker was targeted in two postings after the side lost 3-0 in south Wales.

Following the postings, Cole took to the social networking site himself.

He tweeted: "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...

"... it can sometimes be hurtful & insulting, i don't mind when people criticise me for having a bad game or they think I'm crap at football...

"...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?"