Detroit Lions centre Dominic Raiola has been accused of verbally abusing members of the University of Wisconsin band before Sunday's match against the Green Bay Packers.

Raiola is alleged to have hurled insults at between eight and 12 band members, some of which involved the sexuality and physical appearance of the musicians.

The incident is said to have happened before the match, and Wisconsin director of bands Michael Leckrone praised the reaction from the victims of the abuse.

"The band was lined up in the end zone preparing to finish 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' which would complete the pre-game, and basically they were verbally assaulted by a member of the Detroit Lions team," Leckrone told ESPN.

"To their credit, they just stood there and did what they were supposed to do, which is focus on their performance. I think they were a little bit shaken by it, and they reported it to me after the conclusion of the pre-game show, and we were back in our seats.

"The tone certainly was very abusive and certainly not something that you would expect from somebody who is a professional."

Raiola has a history of disciplinary problems with non-players, having been fined twice for altercations with fans in 2008 and 2010.