The London Daily News


11 December, 2008 12:16 (GMT +01:00)
Two arrested in hunt for homophobic Spurs fans
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Two men have handed themselves in to police after pictures where released of fans shouting homophobic abuse.

Former Spurs player Sol Campbell was subjected to vile homopbic chanting by traveling fans.

A 28-year-old man from Ringwood and a 36-year-old man from Wokingham, Berkshire, have been arrested.

Their faces were pulled from video footage during the game and police say they have received "a steady stream of information and names" since the pictures were released.

Both men are being held on suspicion of indecent or racial chanting at a designated football match.


Banned for life

The investigation followed the former Arsenal and England defenders appearance for Portsmouth against Spurs at Fratton Park on 28 September.

The FA said it would ban for life any fans it could prove were involved.

Cops are asking fellow supporters to help trace the remaining 14 men who abused their former player.


The chants

The sick chants include:

"He's big, he's black. He takes it up his crack. Sol Campbell, Sol Campbell."

"Sol, Sol, wherever you may be / You're on the verge of lunacy / And we don't give a f**k if you're hanging from a tree / You Judas c**t with HIV."

It's believed that hundreds maybe thousands joined in the chanting back in September, not just the 16 identified today.

Suffered abuse for seven years

Campbell was branded 'Judas' after leaving Tottenham on a free transfer to join deadly rivals Arsenal in 2001 and has taken stick from when ever he's lined up against the White Hart Lane boys.  He joined Portsmouth in 2006.

Campbell has been suffering the abuse in one form or another for seven years but the incident at Fratton Park brought revulsion across the board.

Speaking after the game the FA director of communications Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio 5 Live:

"This is disgusting, vile abuse - whether it is homophobic or racist, any abuse of that nature is simply not acceptable. We have to have a zero tolerance approach to it."

'Unacceptable behaviour'

Supt Neil Sherrington from Hampshire police said:

"Our inquiry is aimed at identifying and putting before the court those individuals who engaged in unacceptable behaviour at this public event.

"Their abuse caused distress to some supporters and was targeted at an individual.

"We want to send a clear message that abuse of this kind will not be tolerated and that we are taking robust action.

"I'd urge anyone who recognises these people to contact us as soon as possible."


Cops initially said 'we can't do anything'


He was subjected to prolonged abuse during the entire game.

Portsmouth fans complained to cops at the game where told police could not take action because of the number of fans involved.

Spurs have not been fined neither has the FA charged them with 'failing to control the conduct of its fans.'


 
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