London, Dec 18 (IANS): A probe has been launched into allegations that black players in Chelseas youth system during the 1980s and 1990s were subjected to a "racist bullying culture" from staff members.

Detectives from the child-abuse investigation team at Northwood police station in London were looking into a complaint that one of the teenage footballers on Chelsea's books was the victim of assault during the years when black players as young as 11 allegedly had to endure harrowing racial abuse, the Guardian reported.

"Police received an allegation of non-recent racially aggravated assault in September 2018," a spokesman for the Metropolitan police said on Monday. "Inquiries are ongoing."

The news of the police being involved comes at a difficult time for Chelsea; four supporters have been suspended from Stamford Bridge because of the abuse directed at Raheem Sterling during Manchester City's visit.

A number of Chelsea fans could be heard chanting an antisemitic song during their Europa League tie against Vidi in Budapest last week and the club released a statement to describe it as abhorrent and condemn "any individuals that can't summon the brainpower to comprehend this simple message".