 Celtic fans were outraged by the Diouf incident |
Liverpool have fined El-Hadji Diouf a maximum two weeks' wages for spitting at Celtic fans during Thursday's Uefa Cup quarter-final at Parkhead. The club will liaise with Celtic to discuss sending the money to charity in an effort to ensure the good relations between the two clubs are not soured over the incident.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier said: "The boy has made a mistake. He knows that. We all make mistakes in life because we are all human.
"I am not going to make excuses for him but the boy is young and I can tell you he is devastated by what has happened.
"It is sad this has overshadowed a great night's football."
Diouf will have to wait at least a week before learning whether he will face police prosecution over the incident.
The allegation has been passed to the Procurator Fiscal's office in Glasgow, which will decide whether to charge the Senegalese player.
Uefa has also confirmed that it will study the incident and take the appropriate course of action.
"Uefa has the power to impose a fine or a suspension on El-Hadji Diouf ahead of the second leg but we look at all incidents case by case." said a Uefa spokesman.
 I didn't like what Diouf did, it is not acceptable in any way |
Strathclyde Police questioned Diouf after the 1-1 draw and also arrested, then released, two 18-year-old fans who ran onto the pitch after the incident.
A police spokesperson confirmed: "He was spoken to last night, so now it will be up to the Fiscal to press charges.
"I would usually expect a gap of at least a week before we get something from them.
"Presumably they are going to report him for breach of the peace on the basis that if he did it, it could have led to some crowd trouble.
"So we will take it on its merits and look at it when it comes in."
Diouf was clearly seen to spit at the Celtic fans on television pictures and Houllier issued an apology on behalf of the player after seeing the images.
"The player has apologised for his reaction," Houllier added. It was totally inappropriate whatever the provocation.
"He should not have responded the way he did."
It is the second time Diouf has been involved in such an incident this season. In November, he was accused by West Ham fans at Anfield of spitting at them. Police investigated and took no action.
Celtic supporter Anthony Cosgrove told BBC Radio Scotland: "The Celtic fans tried to help the player up and lift him back on to the wall.
"Some of them gave him a pat on the back as they helped him up. He then turned round and spat into the crowd.
"One young lad, about 16, got the brunt of it in the face."
MMIX
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