Football officials are investigating complaints a linesman was battered in a mass brawl during a youth game.

The linesman was said to have been left bruised and grazed after the clash in an Oxford Mail Boys' League match between Childrey Challengers and Leys Unity on Sunday at Horspath Road in Oxford.

The incident began after an altercation between two players from Leys Unity and Childrey Challengers.

Parents - including a linesman - ran on to the field and Childrey Challengers' chairman Liz Rutter told the Oxford Mail the official was kicked and punched on the ground.

Ricardo Marshall, manager of Leys Unity under 15s, said one of his players was bitten and suffered a cut in his mouth and a second was injured when he was grabbed by the throat.

Mr Marshall denied his players set upon the linesman and said he would include allegations that he was racially abused in a report to Oxfordshire Football Association, which is now investigating the incident.

Mrs Rutter said: "It was a very unpleasant incident. I think it started because there was an altercation between two players and the linesman stepped in to separate them. From that the other players turned on him.

"He was knocked to the ground. He was taking punches and kicks from players and had to put his arms up to protect his head.

"I think he was bruised and he did sustain grazing and bruising across his lower back. I think the parents were shocked and dumbfounded.

"It is just a shame because, in a way, it is dragging down the boys football league."

Childrey Challengers have submitted a match report to the FA, but Leys Unity have yet to complete their report on events.

Manager Mr Marshall described it as a volatile match and the incident as a "free-for-all".

He said: "(The linesman) wasn't attacked by any of my players. Parents and the linesman ran on to the field and there was all sorts going on so I had to break it up.

"I was worried for my players. I took them to the changing rooms because I was worried for their safety."

The referee abandoned the match, but the two sides meet again in a return fixture in two weeks.

The league's refereeing secretary, Paul Lyons, said the alleged assault on the linesman would be reported to the Oxfordshire FA, which would also consider reports from both clubs, spectators, the referee and linesman.

He said: "The matter is under investigation and as soon as we have information from all sides, we will hold a league meeting and decide what to do from there."

He said the linesman was a qualified referee and father of one of the Childrey team who had been asked to run the line.