Bristol Rovers are “outraged” by racist abuse directed at forward Shaq Ford following Saturday’s Sky Bet League One match against Reading.
Forde was targeted on Instagram after being sent off following his team’s 1-0 loss at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
According to Rovers, the messages highlighted by the 20-year-old Forde and some of his team-mates contained “abusive and racist language”.
The club, which has pledged to help police investigate the matter, said it was “tired of racist behavior plaguing our sport”.
Sky Sports News Thames Valley Police has been contacted for comment.
A statement on the club’s website said: “Shaq is not the only Bristol Rovers player to have suffered racial abuse.”
“What is even more disgusting is that some of these messages have come from individuals claiming to be Bristol Rovers supporters. Each time the club has tried to act in an appropriate manner.”
Forde was sent off for a second booking offense in the 55th minute after kicking the ball away.
Rovers said “the same methods of fighting racism”, such as “carefully crafted press releases and saturated social media posts”, “don’t work”.
“Enough is enough,” he continued.
He added: “Our supporters, our true supporters, are sick of being associated in any way with ‘fans’ who feel comfortable sending such hateful messages. We will not tolerate this.
“To the person who sent these racist messages to Shaq, and to anyone who claims to be a gashead and engages in similar deplorable behavior, we simply say this: you are not a Bristol Rovers fan. You are not welcome at the Memorial Stadium. We don’t want your support.”
Reading also expressed support for Forde and condemned the abuse.
“We will work with the Saturday visitors to identify the perpetrators and provide evidence to the relevant authorities,” a club statement said.
“No individual should suffer such abuse, on or off the field. Shaq, we are with you.”
