AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the Cornwall FA following an incident involving Helston Athletic supporters at the Senior Cup semi-final at Newquay on Tuesday.

Several independent complaints were made regarding the behaviour and language of fans, who were sat in the stand next to the two teams' dugouts in the match against Bodmin Town, who won the game 5-2.

Richard Pallot, Cornwall FA's governance manager, said: "We are investigating the complaints and we'll be talking to both clubs and the officials to gather information. We will try and deal with it as quickly as possible once we have received relevant information from all parties."

Helston Football Club chairman Paul Hendy said: "The club is disappointed that a very small minority of supporters failed to follow the FA's Code of Conduct. We're working very closely with the CCFA to identify them and from there, appropriate action will be taken."

Mr Hendy added that there could also be a financial implication for the club, who had hoped to stage a county final or a county youth fixture at Kellaway Parc this season. In light of Tuesday's events, he feels that the Cornwall FA are now unlikely to award them such a prestige fixture.

He described the behaviour as a "black cloud" on not only the football club, but also the town of Helston.

"A small number of supporters have acted like idiots without considering the implications of their actions."