Glasgow, Sept 05: Liverpool footballer El-Hadji Diouf fined for assaulting a Celtic fan by spitting on him during a Uefa Cup match Liverpool soccer star El-Hadji Diouf was fined 5,000 pounds sterling on Thursday (September 4) for assaulting a Celtic fan by spitting on him during a UEFA Cup match. Diouf pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault under provocation. He admitted spitting at supporter Dominic Shiavone during Liverpool's quarter-final tie at Celtic Park on March 13. The court heard that in the 86th minute the 22-year-old Senegalese striker over-ran an attempt to reach the ball and landed in a seated area full of Celtic fans. Procurator fiscal Elspeth Stewart said Mr Schiavone helped get the player back up on his feet and patted him on the head while doing so. She said the footballer was then seen to turn around and spit at Mr Schiavone.


She said: "He touched the accused on the head. It was a jovial move and the crowd were in good spirits. It was a pat on the head.


"The accused was then seen by witnesses to come back a short distance and he then spit at Dominic Schiavone. The spit lands on Mr Schiavone's head."


She explained that Mr Schiavone had only wanted to touch the head of an internationally renowned player. The court heard that Diouf, whose wife gave birth the day after the match, was later substituted and interviewed by police in the dressing room.


Bureau Report