Sol Campbell Blames Politicians and People on TV for Tottenham Abuse 24 Years After Arsenal Switch

Sol Campbell Blames Politicians and People on TV as North London Derby Tensions Resurface

More than two decades have passed since Sol Campbell made one of the most seismic transfers in English football history, yet the noise around his move from Tottenham to Arsenal refuses to die down. And according to Campbell himself, the ongoing abuse he receives isn’t just down to angry fans — but also to what he describes as irresponsible behaviour from politicians and high-profile media figures who, in his view, fanned the flames at the time.

It’s been 24 years since Campbell walked away from Tottenham as a free agent and crossed the north London divide to sign for Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal. The manner of his departure — after publicly assuring Spurs he would sign a new contract — shocked the football world, stunned the Spurs fanbase, and sparked a level of hostility rarely seen in English football.

Today, at 51, Campbell still can’t escape the legacy of that decision. Many Spurs supporters still refer to him as “Judas.” And in a week when Arsenal prepare to host Tottenham at the Emirates, Campbell has lifted the lid once again on how deeply the fallout affected him and his family.

Sol Campbell Blames Politicians and People on TV for “Allowing Abuse to Linger”

Speaking to The Sun, Campbell didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration that, in his view, those in positions of authority at the time failed to intervene.

“I think some people have got away and are kind of hiding,” he said. “A lot of people, when they look back, would probably say to themselves, ‘What was I doing? I can’t believe I acted like that.’”

He accepted that fan anger was understandable — emotions run high in derbies, and loyalty is everything to supporters — but he believes the situation escalated far beyond normal football rivalry.

“I get the fans were being whipped up,” he continued. “But it’s the people with power — the people on TV, the politicians — who put their five pence worth in. They let it linger. They let it grow. And now they don’t want to own up, don’t want to say sorry.”

Campbell went on to say that he received no real protection at the time, even as chants about him became increasingly vile. In one notable case in 2009, four Spurs fans were banned from every stadium in England and Wales after being found guilty of chanting a deeply offensive song about him.

“No one wants to remember how they acted or how they treated me with disdain,” he said. “People with power turned their backs. They put their heads in the sand and hoped it would go away. And no one has apologised. My family were affected — it was really sad.”

Campbell even compared the level of hostility to Luis Figo’s infamous transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid — a move that led to pig’s heads being thrown from the stands.

“For me — and for Figo — it’s impossible to imagine anyone being treated like that again,” Campbell added. “Football has changed too much.”

Sol Campbell Blames Politicians and People on TV While Reflecting on Arsenal Success

Arsenal’s Sol Campbell (L) challenges To

Of course, Campbell’s decision in 2001 didn’t just shape his relationship with Tottenham fans — it reshaped Arsenal. His arrival helped Wenger build the spine of one of English football’s greatest modern sides. Campbell won two Premier League titles, including the famous 2003-04 “Invincibles” season, and three FA Cups.

And despite the abuse, he still looks back on major moments with pride — including his favourite north London derby memory. Unsurprisingly, it involves the incomparable Thierry Henry.

Campbell recalled Henry’s iconic solo goal in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Spurs in 2002 — a moment so majestic it ended up immortalised outside the Emirates in bronze.

“It was an amazing run, about three-quarters of the pitch,” Campbell said. “Probably one of the best games I’ve seen. In a derby, for one player to grab the game like that… it was poetry.”

He described simply being present for that moment as unforgettable.

Sol Campbell Blames Politicians and People on TV as Arsenal Aim to Punish Spurs Again

As Campbell revisits one of the most explosive moments of his career, both Arsenal and Tottenham are preparing for yet another high-stakes meeting. And this time, the pressure is squarely on the Gunners.

If Arsenal beat Spurs at the Emirates on Sunday, they can create a six-point gap at the top of the Premier League table after both Liverpool and Manchester City slipped up last weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side know this is an opportunity they cannot afford to waste.

Tottenham, however, will arrive confident. Thomas Frank’s side — enjoying an excellent season — have the joint-best away record in the Premier League, having collected 13 points from five matches on the road. They remain unbeaten away from home, with victories over Manchester City, Leeds, West Ham and Everton, plus a draw with Brighton.

For Arsenal, it’s a chance to strike a statement blow in the title race.

For Spurs, it’s a chance to ruin their rivals’ momentum.

And for Sol Campbell, it’s another reminder that the derby he once walked into — and transformed forever — still carries more emotional weight than almost any fixture in English football.

Even now, 24 years later, the aftershocks of that decision continue to ripple.