Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are investigating an alleged racially aggravated assault against Manchester City's Raheem Sterling.
It has been reported that Sterling was kicked and racially abused as he arrived at City's training ground on Saturday ahead of their game against Tottenham later that day.
A statement from GMP said no report had yet been made, but they were treating the incident as a hate crime.
The statement read: "On Sunday 17 December 2017, police were made aware that a 23-year-old man had been subject to a racially aggravated assault on Clayton Lane on Saturday 16 December.
"While an official report has not yet been made, enquiries will be carried out and officers are treating it as a hate crime.
"Hate crime will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester."
Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion organisation, has revealed it had been in contact with City and Sterling to offer its support.
They released a statement on Monday afternoon which read: "Verbal and physical assaults of a racist or discriminatory manner are completely unacceptable across football and society.
"This incident is a racially aggravated hate crime and should not go unchallenged, through reporting to the relevant authorities, otherwise these incidents will encourage others that this behaviour is acceptable."
England winger Sterling went on to score twice for Manchester City as they beat Spurs 4-1 to extend their winning run in the Premier League to an unprecedented 16 matches.