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Tomorrow Hughton’s Brighton host Chelsea, who suspended four fans last week after Manchester City’s England star Raheem Sterling was abused by supporters in City’s 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Police are also investigating.

And UEFA have been made aware of reports of anti-Semitic chanting by Chelsea fans – condemned by the club – during Thursday’s Europa League game against MOL Vidi in Hungary.

Hughton, the only BAME (black, Asian, minority ethnic) manager in the Premier League, said: “Unfortunately there are always going to be racial incidents in our game, which we are trying as hard as we can to eradicate.

“You hope that it is something that does not escalate, but sometimes when times are hard they become more prevalent.

“Racism holds no place in our game, in our society.”

In the week that FA chief executive Martin Glenn announced he is leaving at the end of the season, Hughton said: “What I have always talked about is inclusion in our game, and inclusion means management at the top level, at board level.

“And if I am looking at the FA and Premier League, it is that type of inclusion at the top level.

“I have spoken on many occasions of a lack of black managers at the highest level. What would be good for our game is total inclusion. That is what everybody wants to see.

“Clubs are doing all they can, and credit to them. If there are incidents anywhere, the clubs are very quickly onto it, banning supporters who are deemed to have made racial comments. They are very much on top of what they see.

“But it’s making sure that, if we are talking about eradicating something from our game or society, it’s about a culture, and making sure we are in a position where people respectful of all and creeds.”

Hughton, whose team’s defeat at Burnley last Saturday was are colours