Craig Bellamy has called for the Football Association to take severe action against fans caught hurling abuse at players from the stands.

The Manchester City striker insists he could accept taunts about his own ability, but when family members are at the heart of the jibes a line is crossed.

The 30-year-old has had his fair share of run-ins with supporters down the years, and was recently pulled up after pushing a fan in the face who had run on to the pitch at the end of the Manchester derby.

The Wales international was not punished by the FA for his actions but Bellamy has turned the tables and has demanded sterner action against abusive fans.

"Home fans or away fans, anyone will shout abuse at you. I've never had a problem with that. You tell me how useless you think I am, I have to take that as a player," he said.

"The line is when they start talking about your wife or yelling abuse about your kids. I lost my cousin last year. We were playing West Ham. I'd gone on to the pitch to do a warm-up and I've heard a few people shouting 'How's your dead cousin?

"You just feel 'this is not football'. To me they're not human beings, not football people. I've heard some of the most vile, vile things you can imagine.

"That's where the crowd should point these idiots out. Some people might find it funny but one or two will find it disturbing.

"They can go to the stewards or police and tell them what has been said."