Albion boss Chris Hughton wants supporters who abuse footballers to be punished "as hard as possible".

Seagulls defender Gaetan Bong was subjected to boos and chants when he came on as a substitute in last night's FA Cup fourth-round replay win at West Brom.

It was the 30-year-old's first return to the Hawthorns since he accused Baggies striker Jay Rodriguez of making a racist comment last season, an allegation which was not proven following an investigation by the Football Association.

"It's up to the game as a whole and the authorities to stamp what they can out as quick as possible and making sure the punishments are as hard as possible," said Hughton.

"I think there are sections of support that are not prepared to accept it and will recognise it and will report it. It's about making sure that whatever punishments and fines are given out to individuals are dealt with as quickly as possible.

"I think you have got to give the clubs credit and certainly with social media these days, it's being picked up far more and far quicker than it has in the past."