A representative of Italian political party Lega Nord is among six people under investigation for allegedly directing racist abuse at AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng in last week's friendly game against Pro Patria.

Riccardo Grittini, 21, is an elected sport and youth policy official for the Italian town of Corbetta, a town 18 miles to the south of Busto Arsizio where Thursday's match took place.

Grittini is among those accused by police of directing racist abuse at Boateng in the first half of the match. The former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder opted to lead his team-mates off the pitch in response to the abuse, forcing the abandonment of the game and inspiring worldwide debate on how football should tackle racism.

The Lega Nord, formed in 1991, advocates greater political autonomy for the northern regions of Italy, with Lombardy, Veneto and Piedmont forming the principal strongholds for Umberto Bossi's party.

The mayor of Corbetta, Antonio Balzarotti, admitted he was surprised to hear news of his colleague's alleged involvement but said he would sever all ties with Grittini should he be found guilty of racist abuse.

He told the Corriere della Sera: "He is a good lad and a nice person.

"I spoke to him on Sunday morning to find out what had happened. He was a broken man - he was distraught. He asked to speak to me later on as he needed time to think.

"He told me it was just a prank similar to those that occur every Sunday in stadiums. It was probably the fact that a prestigious team like Milan were in town that made them more excitable.

"Of course, if I find out that this was not just a prank but a real act of racism then I will have no other option than to disassociate myself from him completely."

Italian state police confirmed that five other suspects have been identified thanks to footage captured by video cameras at the Stadio Carlo Speroni.

A statement published by the Polizia di Stato confirmed the five men are aged between 22 and 30, including four residents of Varese and one from Milan.

PA