Cheltenham are co-operating with Gloucestershire Police over reports that Macclesfield manager Sol Campbell was subjected to homophobic abuse during their Sky Bet League Two game on Saturday.

Press Association Sport understands former England defender Campbell has told Macclesfield he will let the authorities deal with the matter, which saw Cheltenham fans take to social media to speak out against the "disgusting" and "horrendous" alleged incidents.

The Football Association is investigating the reports and Cheltenham, commenting for the first time after completing their review of Saturday's match, said stewards had not followed the correct protocol of passing on the information of discriminatory chanting.

Cheltenham director and club secretary Paul Godfrey told the official club website: "Unfortunately it seems the stewards at the Speedy Skips Stand end of the ground did not relay the reports of discriminatory chanting until after the end of the match.

"This information should have been sent to the control room immediately so that the appropriate response could be coordinated and we will be following up in all future stewards briefings to make sure that this protocol is followed.

"We are now in the process of co-operating with the police to try and identify those responsible.

"We should not have to deal with this kind of behaviour in 2019 even if it was involving a relatively small number of people.

"We condemn the actions of those responsible in the strongest terms and will take action against anyone proven to have been involved.

"Cheltenham Town Football Club is trying to create a fully inclusive environment where the whole community can watch football.

"We want everyone to feel that they can come to the ground without the possibility of being offended or discriminated against and if we need to work harder to achieve that then we certainly will do."

On Monday, Cheltenham had posted a statement on the club website "to remind all supporters visiting the Jonny-Rocks Stadium that it is against the law to shout or chant abuse on the grounds of ability or disability; age; gender; gender reassignment; marital status or civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race, nationality or ethnicity; religion or belief; or sexual orientation."

The statement added: "Under the Equality Act 2010 it is an offence to make reference to the above protected characteristics in abusive terms and doing so could lead to arrest and prosecution."

Cheltenham said the club were also "undertaking a thorough review of matchday operations in line with its Equality Policy".

Supporters have been urged to report any such abuse "to the nearest steward as quickly as possible."

The statement concluded: "Please assist us in making the Jonny-Rocks Stadium a place where everyone can watch football without having to endure discriminatory abuse."

Former Tottenham, Arsenal, Portsmouth and England defender Campbell was appointed as Macclesfield manager at the end of November 2018.

The 44-year-old had seen his side win their previous two league games before losing at Cheltenham, with the Silkmen currently second from bottom of the table.