Paul Barber has accused online social platforms of abdicating responsibility.

He believes their lack of policing of their websites “is almost as bad as the abuse itself”.

Albion’s chief executive and deputy chairman says the club will come down hard on discrimination and personal abuse.

But he believes those who run online platforms should be doing far more to stamp out such comments.

He also revealed the club had received abusive emails – with the senders sometimes using their work email addresses.

Barber made his feelings clear in the match programme for last night’s fixture between the Seagulls and Aston Villa.

He wrote: “We have always respected the right of our fans, and, indeed, those of other clubs, to express their opinions about what we do and how we do it – even if those opinions are different to our own. Football is a game of opinions, and everyone is entitled to one, provided it is reasonable and respectful.

“However, we have also been very clear that we operate a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discriminatory or personally abusive messages towards our players or staff, regardless of the platform or circumstances in which they appear.

“Even during a period when our club has experienced some of the best results in our recent history, a small number of so-called 'fans' have felt the need to send or post abusive messages to the club, often, in the bravest of keyboard-warrior styles, anonymously.

“The need for some people to vent on social media in any or, in some cases, all of its forms, or, just as mindlessly, to write to us directly (with one or two people even using their work email addresses!) to abuse our players or staff is really hard to fathom at the best of times.

“But when the team is playing well, such abuse – discriminatory or otherwise – is as brainless as it is unacceptable – and, with the chairman and board entirely committed to a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to any kind of abuse of the club’s players and staff, we will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action, including, where appropriate, involving the police and pressing for prosecution.

"Needless to say, those individuals we do identify – and rest assured we have taken, and will continue to take, all legal steps to identify abusive individuals even through anonymous postings or messages – will not be visiting the Amex or any other football stadium to see live football long after supporters are permitted to return to watch our matches.

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“Sadly, however, whilst clubs can issue stadium bans without refunds and, where individuals can be identified, we can refer the worst examples to the police for even stronger action, more needs to be done by the owners of social platforms of all kinds.

“The current apparent abdication of care, responsibility or swift action to remedy discriminatory or abusive behaviour is almost as bad as the abuse itself.”