Police have found no evidence that part of the Withdean crowd hurled racist abuse after Albion's match with Sheffield United.

Even black stewards who accompanied referee Phil Prosser off the pitch when the insults were hurled told police investigators they did not hear racist remarks.

Prosser has reported the crowd for abusing him and United's winger Peter Ndlovu. Sussex Police said last night they were continuing an investigation.

Superintendent Peter Coll, second-in-command of Brighton and Hove police, said: "So far, we have not found any evidence.

"Our inquiries are continuing and we will await the outcome of the FA inquiry."

Albion fans' chief Tim Carder said Mr Prosser may have been racially abused: "Although I didn't hear anything myself, I don't disbelieve the referee. Something may have been said in the heat of the moment.

"It was a frustrating game in a very frustrating season and tempers boiled over."

Prosser said the racial abuse towards him was at the end of the game when he was leaving the pitch.

He said: "I don't know where it was from but I know what I heard and the facts have been reported to the FA."