An equality watchdog has written to the Premier League and Manchester United over concerns that that disabled fans had their mobility aids confiscated by stewards.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) acted following reports that several Arsenal fans, including one supporter in his 80s, were prevented from taking their seats at Old Trafford because they were using walking sticks - which stewards claim could have been used as weapons.

The supporters, attending the league match on May 17, were told they would not be allowed to watch the game since they had failed to notify the club of their supportive equipment - saying the walking sticks represented a health and safety risk.

Juan Mata poses with a wheelchair bound fan, although the club has been criticised for their treatment of disabled supporters

Only the intervention of the Greater Manchester allowed the supporters to eventually take their seats, although stewards confiscated their walking sticks until the end of the game.

Consequently, the Disability News Service asked the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to contact the club and the Premier League and have not ruled out taking legal action.

Manchester United have been repeatedly criticised for failing to provide the recommended number of spaces for wheelchair-users at Old Trafford. The club admitted last August that it only had 120 wheelchair user spaces, when official guidance states that there should be at least 280.

A United spokesman said: 'Our club policy is to encourage any supporters who require the use of crutches or a walking aid to contact the club in advance to ensure each case is adequately risk assessed and that we can ensure safe evacuation in the event of emergency.

Olivier Giroud (left) attempts to take the ball past Phil Jones during the Premier League game on May 17

Old Trafford has been repeatedly criticised for not having the required number of wheelchair spaces

'On some rare occasions, we have also experienced such devices being used as weapons.

'This policy is displayed at the turnstiles and on our website. The disability liaison officers from both clubs also communicate this policy in advance.

'Where supporters arrive without having pre-notified us of the need for such devices, our stewarding team performs a dynamic risk assessment which usually involves finding a solution to accompany the supporter to their seat and storing the walking device during the game.

'At the game in question, a significant number of visiting supporters who had not pre-notified the club arrived with walking devices.

A group of disabled Arsenal supporters, not at Old Trafford, protest for greater rights

'Therefore the above system was put into place. No person was refused entry to the stadium.'

When asked whether the club would be apologising to the disabled fans, and whether it was concerned that it might have breached the Equality Act, the spokesman refused to comment further.