"It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its spectators, and all people purporting to be its spectators or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour, which included a reference, whether express or implied, to race and/or colour, whilst attending this match."

Hartlepool have been given until November 5 to respond to the charge, and have confirmed they will respond accordingly.

The club said in a statement: "We have made clear our condemnation of individuals' behaviour during the fixture against Dover Athletic, and have continued to underline our position on discrimination or abuse of any kind through our actions rather than words.

"Our aim has been to set the example on how to respond to matters such as this and we will continue to explore all avenues of education and improvement in that regard.

"We look forward to a fair hearing with The FA."

Craig Hignett, who was Hartlepool manager at the time, and Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler said after the match that they had considered taking their teams off the pitch following the incident.