FA and MoD to investigate allegations that British Army members shouted sexually abusive chants during England Women's match

Australian players were said to have been targeted by a group of serviceman during a match at the Cyprus Cup tournament in Nocosia on Friday

England captain Steph Houghton (left) and Australia's Laura Alleway contest a header (Getty Images)

The Football Association said it was willing to investigate after a victory for England Women over Australia was followed by allegations that a group of spectators from the British Army shouted sexist abuse during the game.

An Army contingent based in Cyprus attended England's 3-0 win at the low-profile Cyprus Cup tournament in Nicosia on Friday.

Two female England supporters who were at the game said the troops targeted Australian defender Servet Uzunlar throughout the match, as well as the Australian team's substitutes as they took off their tracksuits before entering the field.

Rachel O'Sullivan and Sophie Downey, who cover women's football for http://www.girlsontheball.com, said the majority of the alleged abuse was made towards the Australian players and substitutes, whose bench was on the side of the pitch where the soldiers were sitting.

Jodie Taylor (left) celebrates after scoring for England (Getty Images)

Downey said: "We've been to lots of games before and we can engage in banter, but this wasn't banter - it was constant, gender-specific abuse.

"There were around 50 troops watching the game and a group of around 10 of them were directing constant insults - they were on the side of the Australian dugout so it was more focused on their players.

"We weren't sure whether to tweet about it because it's the Army and we didn't want to offend people - I'm a very proud English person and I'm very proud of what the Army do - but I was ashamed of them today."

O'Sullivan added: "One Australian player, number six (Uzunlar), they were harassing her over and over and over again, throughout the game.

"They were making horrible comments, shouting at her, whistling - it was uncomfortable to hear. These are teenage girls and they were sexually objectifying them."

The Australian Women's team that took part in the match on Friday (Getty Images)

An MoD spokeswoman said: "Behaviour of the kind described is totally unacceptable and is not tolerated in the Armed Forces where abuse, bullying and discrimination have no place.

"We are investigating these claims and if it is found that any UK personnel have fallen below the high standards we expect then appropriate action will be taken."

Downey and O'Sullivan said they complained to the commander in charge of the contingent at the end of the match and he apologised, saying he had not heard the abuse.

An FA spokesperson told Press Association Sport: "We've spoken to the (England) players, manager and assistant manager after the game and none of them have said they heard anything during the game worthy of reporting or complaining about.

"They appreciated the British Army's support and were happy to have photographs taken with the Army boys at the end of the game."

Alex Scott (right) battles with Australia's Stephanie Catley (Getty Images)

The FA spokesperson added: "The FA will investigate all allegations of discriminatory abuse. If anyone did experience any form of discriminatory behaviour we would urge people to report it by calling 0800 085 0508, emailing reportdiscriminationthefa.com or downloading the Kick It Out app from the App store of Google Play."

An Australian supporter at the match, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "This was a stunning one-off that I've never heard before in women's football.

"They were calling the girls t****, telling the referee 'I'd like to blow you'.

"I said something to the Army sergeant, 'This isn't a complaint as an Australian supporter, it's a complaint as a woman'. It was beyond the pale.

"He was apologetic after the game and offered to apologise to the players.

"He said they're just a bunch of young boys, but I have 17 and 18-year-old brothers, I know what they're like but they wouldn't say that to strangers."

The controversy comes after recordings of fans at Manchester United and Manchester City abusing Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro were broadcast by the BBC on Thursday night, prompting the London club to call for an end to sexism in football.

PA