Football: Campbell to strike over insult

KEVIN CAMPBELL will go on strike at the Turkish club, Trabzonspor, while Fifa look into the "cannibal" row that has shocked football, writes Alan Nixon.

The former Nottingham Forest forward is not in the right frame of mind to play for the team after the astonishing insult by Mehmet Ali Yilmaz, the club chairman, who described Campbell as a "cannibal" and said he was "discoloured".

Campbell's agent, Paul Stretford, has referred the matter to Fifa's players' status committee as well as reporting Yilmaz to the Turkish FA. "I would doubt if Kevin can play this weekend. How can you when someone holds you in such low esteem? Kevin does not want to be in breach of contract, but something needs to be sorted out quickly. Feelings are running high over this disgraceful slur," Stretford said.

Stretford confirmed he has faxed Fifa and is talking to them about the procedure. It is new ground as there is no precedent.

Campbell is also due a large slice of his contract on Sunday, worth around pounds 400,000. His previous payment was two months late and any default on the next would give him another reason to leave.

Fifa have so far refused to become involved in the row, while Campbell's team-mates held a press conference to declare their backing for the former Arsenal striker after Yilmaz had launched an astonishing tirade at the man he paid pounds 4m to sign.