Clubs with Racist Fans should be Docked Points, says Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell last night launched a blistering attack on football's authorities for not taking enough action against homophobic and racist abuse.

And former England defender Campbell, subjected to attacks throughout his career, wants clubs to be docked points if their supporters repeatedly offend.

Campbell says the level of abuse is "shocking and embarrassing" as he angrily called on the Football Association, UEFA and FIFA to start taking action.

Portsmouth captain Campbell said: "I think the only way you can stop that from happening is taking points from clubs and that's it.

"Then they would definitely stop. Especially if you are in the Champions League or a league game.

"If it's just way over the top, and you start taking points, those three points you can lose the championship or you can be going down.

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"That's the only way you can actually stop people."

Four men have already pleaded guilty and been fined and banned from grounds for three years for shouting indecent abuse at Campbell following Portsmouth's game with his former club Tottenham last September. A further seven men are awaiting trial in May, having pleaded not guilty.

Campbell believes the abuse was racist and says that offensive chanting still goes on up and down the country on a regular basis and across Europe in the Champions League and in international fixtures.

He added: "Football seems to think it can keep on going without getting checked, but in most other sports on this level, it doesn't happen.

"It's quite shocking really. Because if you carry on like that in the streets, you're either going to get arrested or you're going to start a fight and you might come off worse.

"My situation is a small part. But also you have the racial abuse in the rest of Europe, they've really got to get hold of that soon and stop that from happening."

( John Cross / Mirror )