Police are investigating allegations of a referee being kicked, spat at and jostled at a stormy Ipswich Sunday morning football league match.

The game, which took place at Bucklesham playing field last weekend, was between the home team Queens and Legion Warriors.

The match had to be abandoned with the score at 3-2 to Queens.

At the time of the abandonment the official, who is described as ‘experienced’, had given out three yellow cards and two red cards during the game.

Suffolk Football Association said it was aware of the allegations and is carrying out its own inquiry.

The teams play in Division RM1A. Queens are currently second in the table, while Legion Warriors are fifth.

Suffolk Constabulary has confirmed the referee has contacted the force to make assault allegations.

The official made a complaint the day after the game and said he had been refereeing the match when the alleged incidents occurred.

Anne-Marie Breach, a spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary, said: “We received a report on Monday afternoon about an assault during the course of a football match and officers are looking into the allegations that have been made.”

At this stage it is not known if the alleged assaults involve one or more assailant.

Approached for a comment Danny Robinson, chairman of Legion Warriors FC, said: “Until a thorough investigation has taken place, I will not be making any further comments at this stage,

“We will now be working closely with the relevant parties to resolve this issue”.

No representative from Queens was able to be contacted for comment.

However, a spokesman for Suffolk FA said: “We are aware of this serious allegation and are currently carrying out an investigation.

“We have received the referee’s report and the appropriate charges will be made in due course.”

On its website Suffolk FA champions the national Football Association’s Respect programme.

The initiative aims to improve behaviour in football, on and off the field of play.

Respect is aimed at creating a fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which a football match can take place.

Suffolk FA’s website states: “Over the 2015-16 season, Suffolk FA are committed to successfully implementing the Respect programme and improving the standards of youth and adult football throughout the county.

“The programme has been around since 2008 and improvements are now being seen, with the number of referees increasing, the amount of discipline for dissent reducing and players saying they are now gaining more enjoyment from the game.”