CHERRIES said they were “grateful for the support” of Watford in condemning and reporting abusive online posts aimed at midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

The Hornets say they are working with Hertfordshire Constabulary to identify the “loathsome individuals” who posted online abuse towards the midfielder.

Players from both teams were involved in a fracas on the pitch at the end of the game between the sides at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

The brawl resulted in Watford’s Joao Pedro and Cherries star Jack Wilshere both being sent off for second cautions.

It was sparked by Pedro’s late sliding challenge on Lerma, and subsequently saw both clubs charged by the Football Association.

Watford highlighted abusive comments towards the Colombian in reply to a post on the official Championship Twitter account promoting the EFL’s anti-discrimination campaign ‘not today or any day’.

The Hornets said in a statement on the club’s official Twitter feed “While @HertsPolice and ourselves will attempt to identify these loathsome individuals, let it be known that they are not welcome to support our wonderful club.

“We condemn their comments in the strongest possible way. #buzzoff”.

Cherries offered their thanks to Watford’s post.

“We are grateful for the support of @WatfordFC in condemning and reporting these unacceptable tweets,” a post on the Dorset club’s official Twitter account read.