POLICE are investigating an Oxford United supporter’s claims that he was assaulted by Swindon Town FC’s boss after chanting that the team was “scum”.

Robins manager Paul Hart, 57, was last night backed by his club, which said players and staff were subjected to verbal and racist abuse.

The Swindon team had been dining at the Ask restaurant in Market Place, Witney, on Friday night when they were spotted by a group of United fans as they were leaving.

U’s fan Thomas Richardson claimed he was assaulted by Mr Hart after shouting anti-Swindon chants.

Mr Richards, 22, claims that while the Swindon players “smiled and laughed at the banter”, Mr Hart took exception.

Last night the Wiltshire club said the allegations were “wholly false” and claimed players and staff had been subjected to racist abuse.

Swindon Town spokesman Chris Tanner said: “Shortly after leaving a restaurant, a number of Swindon players and staff were the target of both verbal and racist abuse from a small number of passers-by.

“Swindon Town FC manager, Paul Hart, then politely requested for such unacceptable abuse to cease.

“Allegations against Mr Hart are wholly false.

“In fact the club is extremely proud of the responsible manner in which the manager stood up to such racist and verbal abuse, which everyone would agree has no place in our society.”

Mr Richards, of Corn Street, Witney, said he had been drinking in the Eagle Vaults pub when he saw the players, who had stopped for something to eat ahead of Saturday’s match in Huddersfield.

He said: “I’m a big Oxford fan, and they are our most bitter rivals, so of course I was going to say something.

“I wasn’t being aggressive, just singing typical football songs like ‘Swindon scum’. There were a few of us chanting.

“There were no racist slurs at all. Stuff like that is disgusting and something we would never do.

“The players must have expected to have got a reaction if they were all at a restaurant in Oxford United territory.

“The players were smiling and laughing at the banter.

“But I suddenly saw Paul Hart crossing the road and heading straight for me.”

Hart was installed as Swindon manager until the end of the season on March 3, replacing Danny Wilson.

The former Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Leeds United and Crystal Palace boss is already facing a relegation fight, with the club currently second from bottom in League One, five points from safety.

Mr Richards, who gave a police statement on Sunday night, added: “Chanting like this will always happen.

“If Oxford decided to stop for something to eat in Wiltshire, the same would almost definitely happen.”

Thames Valley Police confirmed they were investigating an assault and appealed for witnesses to call 08458 505505.