Players warning over fans' abuse

Robbie Savage said abuse could now happen away from the football field

Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage says it's "only a matter of time" before a fan physically assaults a player on the pitch.

Wales captain and Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy also expressed his worries about player safety, saying abuse from some fans was commonplace.

Bellamy said he has heard "some of the most vile, vile things" as a player.

The Professional Footballers' Association said it was looking to meet league officials and fans' groups.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live, Savage, now a Derby County player, said he has been the victim of fans' abuse both on and off the field.

When he was a Birmingham City player, Savage said he had to defend himself against coins being thrown at him in derbies with local rivals Aston Villa.

I think its a matter of time before something happens on a football pitch

Robbie Savage

He said: "I've had deaths threats to home, I've had my house attacked, windows smashed, I was spat upon."

He said he also suffered abuse from fans when he was in a sponsor's box at the recent Manchester United v Manchester City derby.

He had even been abused by a fan while at the NEC in Birmingham with his little boy.

"It's got to the point where its not just Robbie Savage on the pitch, its Robbie Savage off the pitch now and that's one thing I never wanted it to be. It's a lot worse than I ever experienced it.

Savage warned: "You know,(if) one fan wants to make a name for himself. I think its a matter of time before something happens on a football pitch"

I've heard some of the most vile, vile things that you could imagine in football,

Craig Bellamy

Bellamy said it annoyed him when fans start abuse involving players' wives.

He said had also suffered personal abuse following the death of his cousin.

The Manchester City striker, who has apologised for confronting a fan on the pitch during the recent Old Trafford derby, said: "People will try to put you off your game. "You should have done this, you should've done that.

"That's part and parcel of the game, that's not a problem.

"But when you hear certain things, and I've heard it round other players as well. I've heard some of the most vile, vile things that you could imagine in football, and that's where for me you can imagine, you know, as a crowd, should come together, and point these one or two idiots out.

Vince Alms, from Cardiff City Supporters' Club, said he did not condone this kind of abuse from fans.

"There are occasions when a whole terrace or a whole stand can chant the most vile things about a player's wife, David Beckham's been subjected to it for years...and they get away with it," he said.

But he also said CCTV and new technology, particularly at new stadia, were eliminating the troublemakers and fans themselves would no longer put up with their actions.

"What you're seeing more and more, especially at Cardiff City, is a lot of self -policing which is happening over the last five six years where that type of behaviour is not tolerated," he said.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), said they are looking to set up a regulatory authority on abuse from fans.

A meeting is to be held with the FA, Premier League and Football League, as well as representatives of the Football Supporters Federation.

Mr Taylor said there were two reasons behind the move.

"First of all, we've got a bid in to stage the World Cup," he said.

"And we want people to know that for the most part our games attract very good crowds and good behaviour."