A semi-professional footballer has apologised for posting "disgraceful comments" on Twitter to Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter over his stillborn daughter.
The Football Association will investigate the tweets from an account in the name of Alfie Barker, which were sent to Arter after Arsenal came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
One of the messages said: "atleast you didn't lose your kid."
It was then followed up by another tweet to the midfielder which said: "big hype just for a disappointment like the 9 months leading up to your childs birth."
Bournemouth and Arter became aware of the offensive posts following the match and reported them directly to Twitter.
The FA has confirmed to Press Association Sport it will seek Barker's observations in relation to the postings from his social media account.
On Wednesday morning, the tweets were still available for public view on the social media site.
However, later on Wednesday, the offensive posts were deleted as Barker issued an apology.
He wrote: "Im sorry for every comment made , id like to apologise to harry arter and his family , for such disgraceful comments and im sorry..."
A second message then added: ".. from the bottom of my heart."
Barker replaced his Twitter profile picture with just a black screen and his bio to simply a single full stop.
Arter has a tattoo on the inside of his right forearm which is dedicated to his daughter Renee who was stillborn on December 10 2015.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Guardian newspaper reflecting on his loss, Arter said: "Every day I think of her and it's strange because there are days when I feel like a normal person, or how someone who hasn't lost a baby would feel.
"But then it will just hit you, driving along and suddenly you see something that triggers your mind. It's such a weird feeling and one that I don't mind any more. Even when I'm sad I enjoy that feeling."
The 27-year-old's fiancee Rachel is currently pregnant and due to give birth to a baby girl in February.
Arter added: "I just hope everyone doesn't think that because we're having a new baby that we'll forget about Renee, because that's totally not the case. Rachel is still so sad about the situation, so I need to make sure that she stays strong now - which she is doing."
Barker plays for Hitchin, who are in the Southern Football League's Premier Division, but is currently on loan at Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Codicote.
Hitchin manager Mark Burke told Press Association Sport: "This is the first I have heard about it and we will be looking into it".
