Diouf in court over alleged spitting

El-Hadji Diouf was facing magistrates today over an alleged spitting incident involving rival fans.

The on-loan Bolton striker is accused of disorderly conduct following an incident at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, where he appeared to spit a mouthful of drink into the crowd after being substituted.

The Crown Prosecution Service has been considering charges since a Middlesbrough fan complained that the 24-year-old Senegalese international spat at him during the 1-1 draw in November 2004.

Diouf was appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court to answer a summons for disorderly conduct under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.

The 30-cap striker, twice named African Player of the Year, is currently on loan at Bolton from Liverpool.

He has been involved in several other spitting incidents and was banned for three matches after spitting at Portsmouth’s Arjan de Zeeuw in late November.

And while at Liverpool, Diouf was fined £5,000 (€7,300) by the Glasgow Sheriff Court for spitting at a Celtic fan during a UEFA Cup game.

Ex-boss Gerard Houllier signed him for Liverpool for £10m (€14.6m) in 2002 from French club Lens after he had starred in the World Cup.