A CALL is being made to show visiting football fans the red card for offending a town.

The demand comes after supporters of Leeds United, held to a 2-2 draw by Middlesbrough at the weekend, taunted Teessiders about the Cleveland Child Abuse inquiry, 15 years ago.

In a clear reference to events in 1987, when 121 cases of alleged child abuse were diagnosed by two consultants on Teesside, Leeds fans sang a version of the song Hey Baby, currently number two in the pop charts, accusing Boro supporters of being paedophiles.

Middlesbrough Supporters' Club member Simon Bolton said: "It is disgusting. A few started it and then it was sung en-masse. They think it is funny, but it is not. I do not believe they think of other people, including children, in the crowd."

Rob Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, said those responsible should be brought to book.

"It is appalling, really,'' said Mr Nichols. "A line has got to be drawn. It is okay to take the mickey out of each other, but there are boundaries which you definitely do not go beyond. It is something that Leeds should take up with their supporters.''

Eric Carlisle, secretary to Leeds United Supporters' Club, said action could be taken against those responsible, if they were identified.

"We are trying to clean up our image. There have been some problems in the past," he said. "If we find out any of our people are involved, we will take action. But it is finding who they were.

"The problem is, once someone starts a chant others take it up. Football supporters can be like sheep."

Most of the youngsters taken into care as a result of the findings of Marietta Higgs and Geoffrey Wyatt were returned to their parents.