HUNDREDS of football fans have offered messages of support to former Swindon Town winger Nathan Byrne, after he was the latest player to be victim of racial hate.

Byrne, 26, posted on social media a message received after Wigan drew 2-2 with Bristol City in the Championship.

The message was sent by @MaxGoodinson on Twitter – an account that has since been suspended.

Wigan Athletic responded to the message by tweeting: “We are angered by the racist abuse of our player Nathan Byrne on social media tonight.

“There is no place for discrimination in society and social media is not an exception to those rules. We find this behaviour abhorrent.”

Byrne made 83 appearances for Town between 2013-2015, scoring 10 goals.

Northampton midfielder Timi Elsnik – part of last season’s Swindon Town squad - was also caught up in a racial incident ahead of their trip to Notts County yesterday.

Elsnik tweeted: “Went for a pre match walk with the team in Nottingham and this young man outside the hotel started racially abusing some of our lads.

“The most disgusting thing I’ve seen&heard! He’s done it in front of his girl as well with no shame so he must do it all the time. Absolute idiot!”