Cambridge United have handed a stadium ban to fans who booed players taking a knee before their home game against Colchester.

Other fans have been asked to undertake education around discrimination and equality before they are allowed back into the Abbey Stadium.

A handful of fans could be heard booing ahead of kick-off in the League Two fixture on December 15, even though it was quickly drowned out by applause.

The club was quick to condemn the actions of its supporters and vowed to launch an investigation, which has now concluded.

The club have not revealed how many fans are now banned. Chief executive, Ian Mather said in a statement: ‘The Club can confirm it has taken action with respect to a very small number of fans after the Colchester United game in light of their behaviour when players took the knee.

'Each case has been looked at separately. Conclusions reached range from education and support without any ban through to bans to the end of the season with season tickets refunded.

'Diversity and inclusion will continue to be at the heart of what we stand for as a football club and we will be making no further comment about the incident.’

The cases were reviewed by a sub group of the Cambridge United board, which included Godric Smith, a former spokesman for ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair and communication director at London 2012.

Cambridge remains in tier two so it can still admit 2,000 fans for home matches.

Cambridge players had not been taking a knee ahead of games but they wanted to show solidarity with Colchester, who were booed by some of their own fans for performing the gesture before their previous game against Grimsby Town.

In recent weeks, Millwall fans booed their players taking a knee before kick-off in a home game against Derby. One supporter was heard booing at Exeter City and was ejected from the ground as a result.

The Millwall Supporters' Club said the booing before the south London club's match was not motivated by racism, but "in opposition to the political views held by the Black Lives Matter organisation".

Last week, the Professional Footballers' Association reported that players had supported continuing to take a knee in a survey conducted by the union.

"The results were clear," said the PFA.

"Players overwhelmingly support continuing this act of solidarity despite any adverse responses that may be received."