Pompey boss blasts Spurs fans over Sol abuse

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has blasted Tottenham fans for their "filthy" verbal abuse of Sol Campbell and warns that it is a growing problem in the game.

Campbell, 33, was so upset by the treatment he received in last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Spurs - whose supporters still cannot forgive him for joining fierce rivals Arsenal six years ago - that he called into BBC radio to publicly complain and believes the authorities must find a way of dealing with such behaviour.

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Redknapp, who came in for barracking at Aston Villa the previous week following his recent arrest by police investigating corruption in football, said: "How can we stop it?

"How can we legislate for grown men shouting things like that at Sol? I got some as well at Villa. What affected me most was that it was done in the presence of little children.

"People say they pay their money and are entitled to ..... but it was vile and completely unacceptable and I have no time for it whatsoever.

"But stamping it out will be difficult. It didn't really happen when I used to go to matches as a young lad with my dad but now it is happening more and more.

"It looks like it is creeping well into the game - even if through a minority - but it is completely out of order.

"My first experience of it was a few years ago when I was watching Ronny Rosenthal play. They were shouting shocking things at him about being Jewish. I was sitting there with my wife and it was an awful thing to hear.

"But some other things that are said these days are just as bad and I wouldn't even want to tell my wife what is being said now - let alone little kids hearing it. What chance have they got for the future when their parents behave this way?"

Portsmouth play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and Redknapp added: "I don't expect anything like that there. They have always been a great crowd at Anfield and there is always a terrific atmosphere.

"But I don't suppose Sol will be the last player to be abused and quite honestly it is frightening."