Football fans who abuse players or supporters online are warned they could face prosecution, as lawyers and police unveiled a new policy for tackling hooliganism.

Sports prosecutor Nick Hawkins said criminal abuse inside and outside sports grounds would be dealt with in the run up to England World Cup qualifiers in the autumn.

He said: “It’s not just criminality in the stands that will be taken on.

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“Our legal guidance on communications sent by social media sets out how we will approach the abuse of players or supporters online. We have the full support of the Football Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association.”