Police are investigating claims that four football fans were ordered off a train on Sunday night due to alleged racist chanting.
The men - reportedly supporters of Chelsea - were forced off the service from London to Manchester following the team's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final.
British Transport Police evicted the fans at 10.30pm at Stoke after complaints were made from other passengers.
"Shortly after 10.30pm on Sunday, 1 March, officers were called to meet a Euston-to-Manchester Piccadilly train at Stoke, following reports of racist and abusive behaviour by a number of passengers, said to be football fans," a British Transport Police spokesman is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
"Colleagues from Staffordshire Police also attended. Officers asked four men to leave the train at Stoke. We have spoken to two witnesses, and investigations continue.
"Rail passengers and staff have the right to travel and work in peace. Abusive behaviour on trains and at stations is unacceptable, and we will not hesitate to investigate any such incidents."
Chelsea recently banned five men from attending games at Stamford Bridge after footage emerged of an alleged racist incident taking place on the Paris Metro.
A black man was refused entry onto the train following the side's 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, while there were also allegations of racist chanting.
