A football club could be sued for libel after accusing a Welsh team of racism.

Lewes Football Club said its players were racially abused and spat at during a match against Newport County last week.

Steve White, Lewes's commercial director, said his team were subjected to racial taunting throughout the game and alleged Craig Hughes, a Newport player previously convicted for hooliganism, used racist language that sparked a 21-man brawl.

The club's board has written to the Welsh FA to object to the "totally unacceptable" behaviour of the club and its supporters.

But Colin Everett, Newport director, has said the Lewes claims are libellous and is threatening to sue.

He said: "Lewes needs to consider how it's conducting itself. We're seriously considering taking legal action against them for the libellous allegations made.

"There was an incident between two players who made remarks and I know what those remarks were.

"But that incident began, and was incited by, a Lewes player.

"Lewes are out of their depth in the way they are dealing with this incident, I believe, but this has become a big national issue in Wales."

Lewes are now refusing to comment on the bed-tempered match last Saturday which saw the two teams fight out a 1-1 draw in the Nationwide Conference South.

Mr White told The Argus his players were forced to "run the gauntlet" of angry Newport fans after the game.

It is also alleged Hughes made a racist comment towards Lewes skipper Steve Robinson moments before Robinson appeared to lash out at the striker.

The alleged incident sparked a 21-man brawl on the field but Mr Hughes denies he used racist language and is being backed by Newport County.

Mr Everett also accused Lewes of behaving unprofessionally, often failing to return his phone calls.

He said: "We're finding it very frustrating to get to the bottom of this with Lewes but I have to protect my club. Lewes are behaving in a very amateurish way.

"I understand they don't have a chairman or an acting chairman and that's making things very difficult for us.

"Lewes didn't raise any complaints on the day. If they felt so aggrieved why didn't they speak to us then?

"I'm asking the club to withdraw their complaint, on the grounds we think it's completely groundless.

"We are not looking for a war of words in the media. We want to resolve this issue for the good of the game.

"But we have to decide whether the comments made by Lewes Football club are libellous and are taking legal advice."

Newport County hit the headlines last month when they were fined £3,000 after a coin thrown from the crowd hit the fourth official during an FA Cup tie, leaving him needing seven stitches.

Hughes has served time in prison for hooliganism and is banned from every club in the country, unless he is playing.

During a match at Lewes's Dripping Pan stadium two years ago, 60 police had to eject an aggressive minority of Newport fans.

A spokeswoman for Lewes said: "Until we hear anything back from the FA or the Conference we're not making a comment.

"We don't want to inflame the situation."