POLICE are investigating claims that an Oxford United supporter punched a disabled Chelsea fan during the FA Cup replay at Stamford Bridge.

The alleged incident at the game last Wednesday, which Oxford lost 4-2, has provoked a heated dialogue among fans writing on the Internet.

Oxford United fans can e-mail each other on the Oxford United Home Area website, where U's fans have a chance to debate the latest issues.

Some fans who attended the Cup game said the 'supporter' who carried out the alleged attack should be banned from attending future matches at the Manor Ground.

Oxford police are now linking up with their counterparts in London to see if they can find any CCTV footage of the incident.

Fan Graham Cripps, who saw the assault, said: "My seat was directly behind the 'victim' of this attack by one of our followers - I will not call him a supporter.

"The yob strutted down the steps and walked along the front row of the Chelsea disabled fans before suddenly turning and punching the man in the face.

"I can guarantee this person had done nothing other than cheer when his side had scored. I somehow can't see this as justification for an attack.

"This fan should be banned for life, if he can be identified."

Pc Paul Phillips, Oxford police football liaison officer, has contacted colleagues at Chelsea Football Club, after being informed of the attack.

He said: "We will now be studying closed circuit coverage of the area where the disabled Chelsea fans were in the ground to see if we can pinpoint the attack.

"First of all, we need to make sure this incident did take place but the Oxford fans who say they saw it seem to be taking the matter very seriously.

"Anyone at the game who saw what happened should contact us because this sounds extremely unpleasant and we would like to speak to this person to ensure it doesn't happen again."

No-one from Chelsea FC was available for comment yesterday.

But Oxford fan Terry Taylor added: "It should make no difference whether the supporter is "able-bodied" or "disabled", however one defines those terms.

"It should also make no difference if there is enormous provocation - there is simply no excuse."

Story date: Wednesday 10 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.