Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with racist abuse sent to Luton defender Peter Kioso on Instagram.

Kioso revealed the comment was sent in the comments on an Instagram Live stream of celebrations after the Hatters beat Blackburn last week to confirm their Championship survival.

Cleveland Police have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy from the Hartlepool area had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, and had been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Kioso commented about the abuse on his Twitter account. He said, “This happened on Wednesday night after the boys and I were celebrating such a big thing that we did and I was not going to let that ruin the moment, but now that everything has calmed down I feel like I shed light on it to let everyone know how things still are in 2020.”

The 21-year-old defender had played for Hartlepool before joining Luton in January. He made his debut for the Hatters in their win over Hull in their second-last game of the season, and was an unused sub for the key win over Blackburn.

In a statement released on the club’s website, Luton Town condemned the comments aimed at Kioso, and reaffirmed their stand behind the defender.

They said, “All at Luton Town are appalled that discriminatory comments can be directed towards anyone in this day and age, but we are especially upset for one of our young players, Peter Kioso, who has been subject to shameful abuse this week – a week when he has made his club and league debut and rightly celebrated his role in helping us survive in the Championship.

“As a club and a town which celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion, we firmly stand behind Peter and all of our minority players and staff regardless of their skin tone, ethnicity or religion.

“We have been helping the police with enquiries to bring the perpetrator of this mindless act to account.”