Spitting images see Diouf on FA rap

EL-Hadji Diouf is set to receive a maximum three-match ban for spitting at Arjan de Zeeuw during Bolton’s Premiership match against Portsmouth.

The FA charged the 23-year-old with misconduct yesterday over the incident which was caught on television cameras.

The FA are powerless to extend Diouf's punishment beyond the mandatory red-card tariff for the offence, despite the Senegal striker having already been found guilty of an identical offence.

Diouf was fined £5,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court in March 2003 after spitting at a Celtic fan during a UEFA Cup game for Liverpool.

He was also banned for two games by UEFA but because the game occurred outside FA jurisdiction, the English governing body are unable to take the offence into account.

Diouf who has been linked with another alleged spitting incident in a match at Middlesbrough earlier this season must decide whether to accept the charge or request a personal hearing.

He has already been fined two weeks' wages by his club and has issued a public apology to de Zeeuw.

Players' union chief Gordon Taylor criticised Diouf's behaviour but called for perspective.

The chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association said the player "has not committed murder" and said the emphasis should be on education rather than excessive further punishment.

Taylor said: "The FA have seen something they don't want to happen, so they can't very well ignore it.

"But they have to take into account that he has apologised and received a sanction from Bolton already.

"He has not committed murder but he has done something unacceptable within the disciplinary code.

"He has taken the first step in apologising."

Taylor intimated there are much more serious issues to confront.

"You don't want it to happen just like you don't want racist abuse or over-the-top tackling which can threaten a career," Taylor added.

"It is unacceptable. Like it or not, players are role models and this is a bad example."