Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, has urged the authorities to attack the abuse of players and managers by supporters in the same way they have tackled racism in the game.

Sol Campbell, the Portsmouth defender, sparked a major debate this week about the abuse he and his fellow professionals have to take from opposing fans.

Keane, who was no stranger to abusive comments during his playing days at Manchester United, agrees the problem is getting worse.

Keane said: "I agree with him (Campbell), I think it is (getting worse). But as soon as you say that, they think you have got to accept it because you are in the public eye and you are getting well paid. But I agree with him. I know Harry Redknapp was disappointed with the abuse he got at Villa Park.

"Different people will get different abuse. Sol Campbell will get abuse for something, I know Graeme Le Saux used to get abuse for some stuff - I have been abused everywhere, at different grounds, obviously.

"You do, whether you are Irish or they believe something or they hear something, whatever it may be. Sometimes it is over the top, but what can you do about it? Are you going to eject 40,000, 50,000 supporters for abusing a player or a manager?

"It's very hard to deal with, no doubt. They love that one about this racism stuff, but there is lots of other stuff going on, I tell you, players getting lots of stick about different stuff."