Nick Blackman: Police investigates chanting at Reading player Published duration 27 August 2015

image copyright Empics image caption Nick Blackman (left) spoke to officials following the incident at Fratton Park

A police investigation is under way after a formal complaint was made over crowd chants at a Portsmouth v Reading game.

Reading winger Nick Blackman spoke to officials following the incident at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

Hampshire police said it concerned "chanting believed to be directed towards a player from Reading".

The FA said it took all allegations "very seriously" but would not specify the nature of the incident.

During a break in play just before half-time, Blackman was seen pointing towards a corner of the ground.

'Zero tolerance approach'

He appeared to be unhappy about something that happened while he was taking a throw-in.

Supt Kelly Whiting said: "Hampshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance approach towards verbal abuse which could be seen as racist or homophobic in these circumstances, however no individual was identified.

"Contact has been made with the player concerned and a formal complaint has also now been received in relation to this matter."

In an official statement, Reading FC said: "The incident was immediately reported to referee Gavin Ward by Royals forward Nick Blackman... the club will now liaise further with the FA and offer the relevant authorities all the help we can provide on this matter."

Reading assistant manager Kevin Keen said after the game that there had been a "couple of incidents in the first-half with Nick and the crowd".

He added: "There was something that was said to him in the crowd and the referee has acted very quickly and it was put to bed."

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