Morecambe v Bolton: Police investigate racist abuse at game

The League One game was stopped for 10 minutes due to the abuse

Police are investigating after racial slurs were heard during a League One match between Morecambe and Bolton.

The game was suspended for 10 minutes and the players were taken off the pitch at the Mazuma Stadium after abuse was directed at the Bolton bench.

A 61-year-old Morecambe man has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

Five Bolton fans were also detained on suspicion of assault, being drunk and disorderly and pitch encroachment.

The arrests were made after a number of fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate Bolton's equaliser on Saturday.

A 29-year-old man has since been charged with pitch encroachment and is due to appear before magistrates in Lancaster on 1 March.

Lancashire Police said the other suspects had been bailed, released under investigation or given fixed-penalty notices and it was investigating two separate allegations of assault after the game.

Insp James Martin added: "Some of the behaviour at the match was utterly disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

"We will be working closely with Morecambe FC to identify those responsible so that we can take the appropriate action."

In a statement, Morecambe said it was aware a number of arrests had been made, and was assisting Lancashire Police in its investigations.

"Morecambe Football Club abhors and condemns any form of abuse, discrimination or anti-social behaviour, and anyone who is proven to have participated in such behaviour is not welcome at our club," it said.

"The club will make no further comment until the outcome of the police investigation has been reached."