BRADFORD City has hit out a "deplorable" comments made on social media about the club's owners.

The club has issued a statement saying it will take a zero tolerance approach to fans making derogatory and abusive posts about German owners Stefan Rupp and Edin Rahic.

The club says such behaviour has "no place in football, or wider society" adding that fans found posting racist or xenophobic comments online could be banned from matches and reported to police.

The pair took over the club in May 2016.

A statement from the club said: "Bradford City have recently been made aware of several derogatory, abusive, and wholly unacceptable social media posts aimed towards our owners, Stefan Rupp and Edin Rahic.

"We would like to remind supporters that such behaviour has no place at our club, in football or wider society.

"Whilst we understand that everybody is entitled to an opinion, and actively encourage lively and passionate debate, we must make it clear that some of the personal attacks we have witnessed are deplorable.

"Anyone found guilty of using language of a racist, xenophobic or discriminatory nature will face further action from the club, which may result in being banned from attending games.

"This also relates to discriminatory content posted online.

"We have been working closely with the relevant authorities to identify a number of individuals who have published content of this nature online, and where relevant will be in contact with the police.

"We would like to thank all Bradford City fans who have taken the time to make contact to express their dismay at what they have witnessed.

"The assistance from fans has proved to be invaluable throughout this process. We would like to reiterate that every employee and official representative of Bradford City wholeheartedly reject all forms of discrimination."