A football club has been hit with a racial discrimination charge following allegations made after a match involving Redbridge FC U17s.

Ilford Recorder: Troy Townsend's tweet published on Sunday afternoon.Troy Townsend's tweet published on Sunday afternoon. (Image: Archant)

The away side reported AFC Hornchurch FC to the Essex County FA after the 4-4 draw on November 16 when players were subjected “to monkey noises and actions”.

Redbridge U17s coach, Troy Townsend – and father of Tottenham Hotspur FC player Andros – tweeted at the time: “My players @RedbridgeU17s subjected to monkey noises and actions today. Angry but not shocked. I have just about had enough of this game.”

An Essex County FA spokesman confirmed this week AFC Hornchurch had been issued with an E20 charge, “aggravated by the use of discriminatory language and/or behaviour relating to a person’s ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race”.

The spokesman added although there was sufficient evidence to issue the charge no punishment – if any – had been decided upon.

AFC Hornchurch has until December 17 to respond to the charge, before the case will be heard by a FA regulatory commission.

A club can receive an E20 charge “for the discriminatory behaviour of their supporters”, according to the Football Association website.

This rule change was introduced during the summer.

Chairman Colin McBride said the news was the first he had heard of the charge when the Recorder approached him for a comment.

“I have got to speak to the people in charge of the youth section,” he said.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the alleged incident, Mr McBride said everyone at the club “abhorred racism”.