POLICE have confirmed they are investigating reports of racial abuse of three basketball players who were forced out of their home in Glasgow.
The general manager of Scotland's only pro-basketball side warned about Scottish complacency over racism after the incident.
David Mpondo, Julius van Sauers and Marc Kwedi all joined Glasgow Rocksat the start of the British Basketball Leag ue season.
But the Glasgow Rocks said the trio had been forced out of their shared home in Barmulloch, Glasgow after been threatened, referred to as "monkeys", while calls were made to the police claiming they had prostitutes at their property.
Their car was also attacked, with the windscreen smashed and tyres slashed, with Glasgow Rocks stating there is "little that can be done in terms of prosecution" due to a lack of hard evidence.
The police were alerted to the issue in October but so far no arrests have been made.
Police Scotland has now confirmed that they are investigating the players reports of an alleged racist hate campaign against them.
"We have been made aware of offensive communication and enquiries into the matter are ongoing," the force said.
Sean Skelly, Glasgow Rocks' general manager, said: "There is a mindset in Scotland where you see the problems in America happening, even down south and it is their problem. Stuff like this brings it home that it's not. It's our problem. It's everyone's problem."
Julius van Sauers, from the Netherlands, who moved to Scotland after signing with the club last September said he was "disgusted" and "very upset" when the incidents occurred in October last year.
He and French players Marc Kwedi and David Mpondo had to move flats after their car was attacked and racist language used in complaints about them.
It began with noise complaints to police while the Glasgow Rocks office had 15 calls in one day about issues. Glasgow Rocks confirmed the players have moved to another property, where they have not encountered further issues.
Mr van Sauers said: "We have never heard these words before. We knew they were complaining but we had no idea that maybe this was an racial issue."
The Glasgow Rocks confirmed that the players have moved to another property, where they have not encountered further issues.
The team said: "Glasgow and Scotland are wonderful places to live and grow. It is, however a place that is not immune from racism.
"We are deeply saddened to report that the organisation and our players have encountered this first hand this year, when David Mpondo, Julius Van Sauers and Marc Kwedi were the victim of racist abuse within weeks of joining the club at the start of the season.
"Racism is not something that is a distant problem. It is in Glasgow, it is in Scotland and it is and can be everywhere.
"We are happy to report that the players have since been moved to another property where they have encountered no further disturbances.
"It goes without saying how deeply saddened we are that this was their first experience of Glasgow."
A host of BBL clubs posted their support too, with London Lions posting: "Unacceptable. We stand with the @rocksglasgow in the fight against racism."
In a tweet, the British Basketball League said: "We were appalled to learn of the abhorrent racist abuse levelled at these players. As a league, we fully support and stand with all in our community in the fight against racism."
Vince Macaulay, head coach of the London Lions said: “The disgusting act we have seen the Glasgow Rocks players face highlights the fact that racism is still very apparent in UK sport today. As an urgent priority the industry needs to stand together to tackle the problem head on and ensure it is eliminated from today’s player and fan experiences.
“Sporting culture should be defined by diversity and inclusiveness, and events such as these indicate we have a long way to go until this is achieved. Our thoughts are with Julius Van Sauers, Marc Kwedi, David Mpondo and the families affected.”
Mr Skelly added: "It was embarrassing and in my head I'm thinking 'oh my god are these people going to think this is Glasgow, this is Scotland, this is a problem that we have here?', and obviously it is."
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