LONDON (AP) - Police have launched an investigation after a monkey gesture by a fan was apparently aimed at West Bromwich Albion striker Romelu Lukaku during Saturday's English Premier League match at Sunderland.

In pictures that emerged on Tuesday, a fan appeared to make a monkey gesture at the Belgium international, who is black, after he scored West Brom's third goal in a 4-2 win.

The Northumbria Police force says it's "carrying out inquiries after a report of racist abuse was received at the Sunderland vs. West Brom match on Saturday."

Lukaku is on a season-long loan at West Brom from Premier League rival Chelsea.

The case comes less than a month after a Chelsea fan was banned from Stamford Bridge for making a monkey gesture in a match against Manchester United.

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