Portsmouth's Sol Campbell wants points deductions for fans' racist abuse

03 March 2009 09:19
In an interview with the Guardian, Campbell, who has long-endured racist mistreatment from Tottenham fans, said he believes the sport's authorities should be taking more action to stamp the issue out of the game. The Portsmouth captain has confidence that the threat of a club having points deducted will dissuade the minority of fans who are guilty of racism. "There is all sorts [of racism] up and down the league, there is always someone saying something or part of the crowd saying something to certain players," he said. "But there is a level and once that level is crossed, I think people have to step in and sort it out. "I think that they [the game's authorities] are going to have to do more. "My situation is a small part. But also, you have the racial abuse in the rest of Europe. The only way you can stop it from happening is by taking points from clubs. Then it would definitely stop. If it's just way over the top and you start taking points ... [with] those three points, you can lose the championship or you can be going down. "That's the only way you can stop fans' abuse on that type of level. "Football seems to think it can keep on going without getting checked. In most other sports on this level, it doesn't ­happen. You're not going to get that in ­tennis, rugby, cricket or athletics. It's just not accepted." A police investigation was launched last year after what police described as "unacceptable abuse" was directed at Campbell. Sixteen images of Tottenham supporters taken during the match in question at Fratton Park were released in a bid to catch those responsible and 11 arrests were subsequently made. Though grateful for all the policing efforts, Campbell generalises the type of abuse he is on the receiving end of, insisting that no one - regardless of situation, age or occupation - should have to endure it. "The arrests woke up a lot of people," he said. "Because some people just thought 'I never thought it was wrong' – that's unbelievable – [or] 'That wasn't me', as if football turns people into some different kind of person. 'I've paid my money and I can say and do whatever I want at any time I want within that 90 minutes'. "There is a level. You say that on the streets and you'd be arrested or put away. You wouldn't say that to your son or daughter and if that was said to your son or daughter, would you be the same? That's what people have to remember."

Source: DSG