Carlisle United have sacked a steward following reports of an “altercation” with a fan during last weekend’s game against Hartlepool at Brunton Park.

The club say their action follows “serious concerns” over an alleged incident during the second half of United’s 3-2 victory.

It is alleged to have happened in the Pioneer Foods Stand at the game watched by 7,333 people – the club’s biggest home crowd of the season.

United say they dismissed a steward “with immediate effect” and apologised to a supporter.

The fan, who did not want to be named, said he suffered a bruised and swollen nose.

He made a report to the club shortly after the game.

Blues chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “There was an incident in the crowd during the second half of the game against Hartlepool which had to be dealt with by the safety team and police.”

He said there were then reports of an altercation involving a member of the response team who was dealing with fans.

A member of the team was “dismissed from his role with immediate effect”.

“We were subsequently contacted by a supporter on Monday, who reported the incident directly to us,” added Mr Clibbens.

"I have since been in contact with the supporter and expressed the club’s serious concerns and I wished him a speedy recovery. I explained our actions to him in response to the incident.

"The matter is now in the hands of the police and we will fully co-operate with their inquiries. He thanked us for our support and expressed his satisfaction with how we have dealt with this incident.”

Mr Clibbens added: “The atmosphere on Saturday was brilliant and, as a club, we want Brunton Park to be a place where fans can come and enjoy matches safely.”

The person dismissed by United is understood not to be one of the club’s regular matchday stewards. The club brought in extra staff because of the anticipated larger than normal crowd.

A police spokesman said: “A 28-year-old man from Carlisle was arrested on suspicion of assault and bailed pending enquiries.”

A number of other arrests were made at the game.

Police said a 17-year-old youth from Workington was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, a 26-year-old man from Hartlepool on suspicion of criminal damage and a 27-year-old man from Carlisle on suspicion of disorder.