POLICE are investigating following a report that a Bristol Rovers player was racially abused over the weekend. 

The alleged incident took place during Saturday’s League One game against Cheltenham.

Two men who had been among the away section were ejected from the Memorial Stadium in Filton after the matter was brought to the attention of stewards.

PC Mark Neal, force football officer for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We are treating the incident as a hate crime and we’ll work with both clubs to fully investigate what happened.

“The player was spoken to by an officer immediately after Saturday’s game.

"We have also notified the Professional Footballers’ Association too.”

The force is appealing to witnesses for further information and both clubs have condemned the incident.

A statement from the visiting club read: “Cheltenham Town Football Club has a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of discrimination and we will co-operate closely with the relevant authorities as required.

“We must remind all supporters that an incident of racial abuse is classified as a hate crime.

"The police will carry out a full investigation that could result in a conviction and football banning order.”

Meanwhile a statement from Bristol Rovers reads: “We are committed to removing and eliminating any direct or indirect discrimination of any form and combating discrimination at all levels of the game and will, under no circumstances, condone unlawful discriminatory practices.”