30 Sep 2008Police urge FA to look into Campbell abuse

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Hampshire police have urged the Football Association to take action over Tottenham fans' abuse of Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell at Fratton Park at the weekend.

Campbell, 34, left White Hart Lane on a free transfer in 2001 to join bitter rivals Arsenal across north London and has been a target for their anger ever since.

However, the Hampshire force has now issued a complaint about the conduct of some Spurs fans, whose chants Pompey boss Harry Redknapp described as "filthy".

It explained that it was unable to make widespread arrests due to the large crowd at the match on Sunday (September 28th), but that it has made its position clear to the FA.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "I cannot say whether the chanting was obscene, homophobic or racist, not having been there, but the FA officer we contacted said he understood from his background experience what it was."

The FA has explained that it is awaiting reports from witnesses and officials at the game, but that it would "take action where necessary" as part of its "duty to challenge all discrimination within the game".

Redknapp had said after the game: "Nobody likes being called filthy names and hearing other filthy abuse.

"It's not right. What has that got to do with coming to a game? For a start there are kids there."

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