JOINT-manager John Snape says captain Brad Birch "let himself down" following a foul-mouthed spat with ex-Worcester City ace Tyler Weir on social media.

Snape also insisted the club's bosses were taking the matter "seriously" and would hold a meeting later this week to determine what action would be taken.

The duo caused a stir on Saturday evening when they exchanged messages on Twitter after Birch received his second red card of the season in City's 4-3 win over Sherwood Colliery in the FA Vase.

Full-back Weir, who left Worcester to join Hednesford Town last month, said: "Mate ur captain stop letting the team down."

Midfielder Birch then responded by saying "go f*** yourself" and used a derogatory term for gypsy heritage along with the 'c word'.

Former City skipper Weir then replied: "Sort it out taliban".

Birch has since deleted his tweet to Weir but the full exchange was published on City's unofficial fans' forum on Sunday.

Snape confirmed Worcester-born Birch would be part of his squad to face Sporting Khalsa in the Midland League Premier Division on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

But he revealed the situation would be addressed with the board on Thursday.

"Me, Lee (Hughes) and the board are dealing with it internally and we are going to make a statement on it later on in the week,” Snape said.

“But at the moment Brad is 100 per cent a Worcester City player. He is very committed, wears his heart on his sleeve and is passionate about the football club.

“But he let himself down on Saturday and we will address it in the week collectively and move forward.

"We will probably sit down on Thursday but the most important thing now is the game against Khalsa."

Asked what action the club were likely to take, Snape replied: “There are internal fine procedures set up at the club.

"Every player is aware of that when they sign.

"I have not seen all the stuff that has been put on social media because if I got involved in all of that we would not play a game.

“We are looking into it seriously. It’s not good publicity for the football club.

“But I am not going to let it get blown out of proportion.

"Tyler is currently playing for a different football club.

"Although he is well known to Worcester City fans he is currently not part of the squad."

Down The Pan, who posted a screenshot of the Twitter spat on citybanterboard.proboards.com, said: "This is completely unacceptable from a player, especially if he's the captain.

"Imagine a fan shouting out that kind of racial slur at a game? He'd be banned from games for a long period of time surely?"

Zeke also described it as "totally unacceptable behaviour" while B*ue dragonstander said: "No matter what my view on the way the club is run I am certain that none of the board wish the club to be associated with anything like this.

"Let’s hope they act with good sense as they did in the case of fan ban imposed recently."

Genghis added: "I’d assume it was just banter. Even so, Birch should be relieved of the captain’s armband. Very unprofessional behaviour."

The Worcester News contacted Birch but he has yet to respond.