Sep 21 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
FORMER Liverpool player El Hadji Diouf was at the centre of fresh controversy after an Everton ball boy alleged the Blackburn Rovers winger made racist comments towards him during a match at Goodison.
Diouf was questioned by Merseyside Police following yesterdayâs Premier League game and is almost certain to be interviewed again this week.
âMerseyside Police is investigating an allegation of a 28-year-old man using racist language at the Everton match today (Sunday) at Goodison Park,â said a Merseyside Police spokesperson. âEnquiries are under way.â
The alleged incident came when Diouf was involved in a dispute with the ball boy during the first half of Blackburnâs 3-0 defeat.
The Senegalese international went to take a throw-in only for the youngster, who was positioned at the Gwladys Street End of the ground, to retrieve the ball and roll it away from the player.
The player is believed to have complained that the ball was not thrown back into play quickly enough. Television pictures suggested words were then exchanged between the pair before home supporters reacted angrily to Diouf, who is alleged to have told the ball boy to â**** off, white boyâ.
Diouf appeared to be abused again by home fans when he went to take two corners in the area of the original incident.
Blackburn Rovers were today unavailable for comment .
Diouf has been no stranger to trouble since arriving in England when signed by then Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier in the summer of 2002.
In March, 2003, Diouf pleaded guilty after being charged by police for spitting at a Celtic fan during the UEFA Cup game between the teams at Parkhead.
In November, 2004, while at Bolton Wanderers, he spat at Portsmouth defender Arjan de Zeeuw and was banned for three matches and fined two weeksâ wages after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct. During his time at Bolton, Diouf was also fined ÂŁ500 after pleading guilty to spitting a drink at a Middlesbrough supporter.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/09/21/former-liverpool-fc-player-el-hadji-diouf-in-new-everton-fc-racist-row-100252-24739325/