A national story about a homophobic attack on a group of LBGT fans could have been a Twitter "troll".

The Charlton Rainbows Twitter page, claiming to be a group of gay, lesbian and transgender Charlton Athletic fans claimed to have been attacked on Saturday in an ambush.

The group claimed to have arranged to meet up with a group similar to theirs but were attacked in an ambush, however the Twitter group has been removed amid claims that the report was a hoax.

A tweet from the Charlton Rainbows account read: "Before yesterday's match, we were told to meet a group equivalent to ours. Unfortunately this was a hoax and some members were attacked."

"An investigation's ongoing with CCTV and statements being taken. We would like to say that the fans involved were neither #bhafc or #CAFC."

However, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had received no reports of this incident.

Brighton and Hove football liaison officer, Darren Balkam, who was directed to the report on social media by Brighton fans, said: "I contacted the Met and made enquiries and my message to the site was not responded to. The site was removed last night."

Members of Charlton fan forum, Charlton Life, questioned the validity of the site, highlighting some of the previous tweets from the account as being stereotypically gay.

One of these tweets read: "On our way to Ipswich, fizzy drinks flowing and 90's Mega mix CD playing. #Charlton #GirlsAloud #wineoclock."

OsamaBenHamer, a member of the forum, said: "Do you honestly think not ONE single Charlton fan would've seen or heard anything from them at home or away games?

"The account was set up and two hours layer they were on their own coach "listening to 90s megamix and drinking fizzy pop" on the way to Ipswich away.

"Anyone see them at Ipswich? I can't say I did."

The Gay Gooners, a supporters group for LGBT Arsenal fans had tweeted their support for Charlton Rainbows but their latest statement on the matter reads: "It seems the @proudcafc account was a troll. Homophobia takes form in many ways."