Keane admits that the problem of abuse is a difficult one to deal with

Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell insists the problem is spiralling out of control and says it is time for the authorities to take action.

"I agree with him, I think it is," said Sunderland boss Keane.

"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."

Keane, who himself was subjected to verbal abuse during his playing days at Manchester United, admits it is a difficult issue for the authorities to deal with.

"I know Harry Redknapp was disappointed with the abuse he got at Villa Park," he said.

606: DEBATE I among many people take my kids to some matches, and the level of verbal abuse has reached alarming levels. R3DD3R

"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.

"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."

Norwich City manager Glenn Roeder has also spoken out about his own experiences, most recently during his side's game at Colchester last week.

Roeder was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2003 while in charge of West Ham, and came back into management two years later at Newcastle.

These weak, sad people that shout from the terraces, 'tumour boy, why are you still alive?' and stuff like that. Glenn Roeder

Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk he said that not even animals behave the way in which some fans do.

"They're saddos, real saddos, low-lifes. I just remind myself that those people, those saddos are paying my wages," he said.

"Animals don't behave like that. I've had plenty of it myself, certainly since the brain tumour.

"These weak, sad people that shout from the terraces: 'tumour boy, why are you still alive?' and stuff like that.

"But what I've convinced myself, and what I know is right, is that it's good I'm still here to hear it."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also backed Campbell's stance and revealed his own method for dealing with abuse from the stands.

"I don't listen to anything," Wenger told BBC Radio Five Live. "I don't hear what they say in the crowd, I shut my ears and focus on the game.

"But that doesn't make the guys who abuse you right because everybody has the right to dignity and the right to be respected."

However, Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet said abuse from the crowds is an integral part of football.

"I loved it as a player," the Uruguayan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "When they (supporters) abuse someone it's because they're the kind of players they want in their team, not against.

"We need to be careful with racial abuse, we need to be careful in terms of security for throwing things which can put players under risk.

"But the kind of abuse that is enjoyable, when you can see people in the stands laughing about songs, it's all part of football."