WESTPORT — Allegations of “damning” anti-Semitic and racist taunts directed against the Staples High School football team and fans at Friday night’s game with Cheshire are being investigated by school and police authorities.

Images and posts on social media, purporting to depict Cheshire High School fans brandishing an Israeli flag and allegedly voicing hate-tinged chants, came to light late Friday. Another post alleged that a Confederate flag was waved by Cheshire fans.

The game, which took place in Cheshire, was lost by the visiting Westport squad, 42-14.

Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice, in a message to the community Saturday afternoon, said, “I want to assure the community that any allegations such as these are taken with the utmost seriousness.”

The allegations, Scarice said, were “brought to light by some damning images and posts on social media.”

One post, from “StaplesCheer,” says, “We are absolutely disheartened and upset to leave a football game with many of our girls crying,” accompanying a photo of an Israeli flag in the midst of the crowd at the game.

“… Cheshire fans expressed anti-Semitic and racist remarks. This included waving the Israeli flag and chanting insults consistently throughout the game, the also waved the Confederate flag.”

Another post, accompanied by a similar image of an Israeli flag being waved in the crowd, said the Cheshire “student section was consistently waving the Israeli flag and chanting insults.

“As a community this was absolutely disgusting to witness and this school/student section needs to be punished. 5 police officers were told about the incident and reassured us they would handle it, yet after speaking to them absolutely NOTHING was done,” the post states.

Scarice warns against a rush to judgment

“Given the volatility of social media,” Scarice wrote in his message, “I caution all members of the community to take a measured approach in addressing matters such as these. It is necessary for the school administrations, and police departments when necessary, to gather facts before taking punitive action,” he wrote in his message.

“If we confirm acts of anti-Semitism or race-based hate, we will assertively act. If there are misunderstandings, we will work together to learn from these events.”

The superintendent said he had spoken with Cheshire Supt. Jeffrey Solan late last night after learning of the reports, and he “assured me that the district and Cheshire law enforcement are investigating this matter.”

And Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas, he said, will discuss the incident with his Cheshire counterpart.

Meanwhile, Scarice also contacted Steve Ginsburg, director of the Connecticut Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League. Ginsburg, in turn, has spoken with representatives from Cheshire, including their superintendent and police chief.

In addition, the schools chief discussed the issue with Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Staples Principal Stafford Thomas and Marty Lisevick, the Staples athletic director.

“We are all committed to cooperating, investigating and addressing this matter,” Scarice said.

“Our school administration will continue its investigation and follow up at the end of the day on Monday,” he said. “If you were  present at the game and have information of any acts of anti-Semitism or race-based hate, please contact the Staples administration.”