Captured on camera - these are images of the Tottenham Hotspur supporters who are believed to have chanted racist and homophobic abuse at Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell during a match between the two clubs in September.

Police released the CCTV pictures, taken at Portsmouth's Fratton Park ground, to help catch those responsible.

After the match on 28 September, Harry Redknapp, then manager of Portsmouth, condemned the verbal abuse as "filthy". Redknapp moved to manage Tottenham a few weeks later.

Hampshire police said that arrests had not been possible at the time of the match because of the size of the crowd, but afterwards they mounted Operation Decorum to track down the offenders.

However, all other means of tracking down the men - including checking existing records of football hooligans - had failed to provide any leads, so detectives are now appealing to the public.

Police believe most of those responsible live in the London area and will be known to other Spurs supporters, particularly those who travel regularly to away matches.

Superintendent Neil Sherrington said: "We want to send a clear message that abuse of this kind will not be tolerated and that we are taking robust action. I'd urge anyone who recognises these people to contact us as soon as possible." Campbell, 34, has been the subject of previous abuse from Spurs supporters still angry at his sudden departure from the club to join Arsenal in 2001. After a successful period with Arsenal, he joined Portsmouth in December 2006.

After similar abuse at another match with Tottenham a year ago, the centre back, who has played for England in three World Cups, was so concerned that he telephoned the BBC to complain and called on the Football Association to take action, saying he and other players felt let down.

A spokesman for the FA said it had been working closely with Hampshire police to track down those responsible: "We would call upon all football supporters to help us identify these people. The Football Association totally condemns this kind of behaviour in the strongest possible terms."

Although the FA has the power to fine clubs over the activities of fans, it stressed that it prefers to work directly with clubs to eliminate bad behaviour.

Campbell is not the only player to attract routine abuse. Middlesbrough's Egyptian striker Mido twice suffered insults from Newcastle fans when the two clubs have played.

Two men were arrested on Friday in connection with racist abuse after the latest match, on 29 November.

Anyone with information about the Campbell incident should contact Operation Decorum on 0845 0454545 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.