Diouf likes attracting attention and being booed by opposing fans

The Senegal international striker, 25, claims he is just being "very clever" when he dives in the area in a bid to win a penalty.

Diouf said: "It's not just me who dives. If you see Wayne Rooney, how often does he dive to get a penalty?

"Sometimes I need to dive to have a penalty. It's just football. The best footballer is very clever like that."

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Diouf claims his "bad boy" reputation means his actions draw more attention and vitriol that his Premiership peers.

"Sometimes I dive because I move my foot before the guy comes in to break my leg. Sometimes I get a free-kick, sometimes I don't," he added.

Diving is a problem that can be sorted out by players having a stern word with their team-mates Kevin Nolan, Bolton captain Read more in Nolan's column

"The problem is sometimes the referees are not very good with me, I've had penalties and not been given them.

"I've won some penalties like that, but how many penalties has Rooney won and nothing is ever said about him? But it is when it's me.

"Everybody thinks I am a bad boy. I have a bad reputation everywhere in the world.

"I know that, but what is important for me is that the people I am working with - Sam Allardyce, the staff and the other players - know I am a nice lad.

"It is just that I have a bad reputation. I like being booed, though, and I usually do something early in the game to get people booing me."