Thierry Henry

Former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Henry, who has 15 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, said the platforms needed to tackle these issues with the same effort they put into taking down material that infringes copyright.

"From tomorrow morning I will be removing myself from social media until the people in power are able to regulate their platforms with the same vigour and ferocity that they currently do when you infringe copyright," Henry said in a statement.

The Ligue 1 strugglers announced on Thursday he had been suspended, but BBC Sport understands that is merely procedural and that the France World Cup winner has already left the club.

Predecessor Leonardo Jardim is expected to replace Henry, just over three months after being fired himself.

The 2017 French champions are in the relegation zone after only five wins under Henry in all competitions.

Franck Passi, appointed as Henry's assistant on 20 December, will take training on Friday, the club said.