Sunderland striker Darren Bent has revealed his disgust at the racist abuse aimed at his mother during the Black Cats’ 1-0 defeat at Wigan on Saturday.

Police have launched an investigation after the England striker claimed that his mother was racially abused by a Sunderland fan during Saturday’s defeat to Wigan.

Bent posted a furious message on his famous twitter page lambasting the racism aimed at his mother from a member of the travelling support.

"So we get beaten by Wigan and to make matters worse my mum gets racially abused by a Sunderland fan. I won't stand for that,” the 25 year-old wrote.

Sunderland have since taken action and officials confirmed they will assist Northumbria Police in their investigation of the unsavoury incident.

"This club is liaising with Northumbria Police to fully investigate this matter," said a spokesperson.

"Behaviour of this kind if totally unacceptable to our football club,” he affirmed.

FIFA have been desperate to eradicate racism from the game, however, the latest incident comes on the back of another high profile racial slur involving Egyptian striker Amr Zaki. He stated that he would not play for Portsmouth because of the particular race of certain players at the club, as we told you hear on ExtraFootie.

These most unwelcome incidents are sure to be of great concern to world football's governing bodies ahead of next summer's World Cup that will be hosted by a country steeped in a dark history of racial tension.