Man charged over alleged racist Twitter comments at Northampton Town's Adebayo Akinfenwa and Clarke Carlisle

Northampton Town's Adebayo Akinfenwa (left) and Clarke Carlisle (right) were targeted by allegedly racist tweets (Getty Images)

A man has been charged with sending racist tweets to two Northampton Town football players, police said today.

Ben Townsend, 25, of Norwich Drive in Cheltenham, was charged yesterday with two counts of sending by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message.

Townsend was arrested by officers from Gloucestershire Police on May 8 under the Malicious Communications Act, following an investigation by the force and Northamptonshire police.

His arrest followed the allegation that racist tweets were sent to Adebayo Akinfenwa and Clarke Carlisle, who is also chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire police said: “A man from Cheltenham, who was arrested following allegations of racist tweets towards Northampton Town football players, has been charged.

“He has been bailed to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on June 21.”

PA