Police are investigating a racist attack after Chesterfield striker Armand Gnanduillet was allegedly verbally abused by a Port Vale supporter.

Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite said: “Anyone found guilty of racist behaviour will be dealt with appropriately by the police and the club. The club will issue a lifetime ban to anyone found guilty.

“The top and bottom of it is if that any fan makes racist chants towards anyone then they have no place at Port Vale. I won’t tolerate behaviour like that and I don’t want bigoted or racist behaviour at this club.”

Vale supporters’ club chairman Ally Simcock spoke to Gnanduillet after the game on Saturday. She said: “I waited outside to speak to him and apologised on behalf of Vale supporters. He said he appreciated that.

“At the time, I could see it was a serious issue by the way the players reacted. I think every club has a problem caused by odd individuals, but one incident is one too many. It would be wrong of me to say it is not a problem.”