Sol Campbell insists the language barrier will not be a major problem for new England boss Fabio Capello.

The veteran Portsmouth centre-half is enjoying an Indian summer to his international career after his Premier League performances for the south coast club prompted a recall under Steve McClaren.

And after Capello was appointed as McClaren's successor, Campbell said: "Football is international. That's the beauty of football. There's no language, everyone understands football.

"He is a fantastic manager, he has won an incredible amount of trophies and honours. So he's got the credentials, hopefully he can transmit that to international football. So it should be good."

Campbell was speaking to BBC Radio Four to complain about verbal abuse suffered by players during matches.

"I think it is out of hand now," he said.

"We all can take the booing and light banter but when it gets to the realms of verbal abuse it's a bridge too far. I think the FA, PFA and even the Government should get involved because these situations are happening at sporting arenas.

"If this happened in the street you'd be arrested.

"This is the 21st century. This is a human rights situation where professional sportsmen - managers as well - people are abusing them verbally. I think it's just gone too far."

Campbell's complaints follow Portsmouth's defeat by Tottenham at the weekend, the club he left acrimoniously on a free transfer to join rivals Arsenal in 2001.

"I know certain people may be a little bit disgruntled with how I left certain clubs - or club - I totally understand that.

"But when you get to the level of verbal abuse which I was subjected to - and other players up and down the country - it's got to stop now."

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