RIVAL fans have condemned vandals who sprayed graffiti over a football war memorial.

A memorial at Pompey’s Fratton Park ground was desecrated with Saints graffiti on Friday night.

The vandals brandished “Southampton boyz” and part of an expletive-laden chant on the memorial, which was placed at the stadium honouring Pompey players killed in conflict.

The act was slammed by supporters of both clubs on social media websites.

It has since been removed from the memorial at a cost of more than £100.

Bill Bates, pictured, chairman of the Hampshire branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “Our view is one of disgust.

“These memorials are put up to honour the people who gave their lives and the sacrifice they made for us. The First World War will be fresh in people’s minds over the next four years and we regard any of this as distasteful and disgusting. This is not about rivalry between Portsmouth and Southampton, it’s degrading to the people who gave their lives for us.”

Saints hero Matthew Le Tissier tweeted: “The war memorial being defaced in Portsmouth is completely unacceptable and sickening. Whoever did it needs their head looking at.”