Two teenagers are to appear in court following a police investigation into allegations that racist messages about England players were posted in an online group chat linked to Portsmouth Football Club’s under-18s academy.

Screenshots purporting to be from the chat were widely circulated on social media following England’s defeat against Italy in the Euros final in July last year prompting inquiries by the club and by police.

Now two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been served with postal requisitions to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 31.

They will face charges under s.127 of the Communications Act 2003.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, are due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court at midday on Thursday, March 31 following postal requisitions relating to offences contrary to s.127 of the Communications Act 2003.

“The court appearance follows a report that we received shortly after 3am on Wednesday July 14, 2021 of a screenshot circulating on social media depicting discriminatory language.

“The comments were alleged to originate from a group chat relating to Portsmouth Football Club’s under-18 academy.

“The report was investigated as a hate-related incident.”

Portsmouth FC issued a statement at the time of the allegations which said: “Portsmouth Football Club are aware of images circulating on social media that allegedly originate from an academy U18 group chat and which are discriminatory in nature.

“The club have launched an immediate investigation and will provide an update once this has been completed.

“Portsmouth Football Club strongly condemns racism and are totally committed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination.

“There is no place for it in our game or society as a whole.”