senegalese retired football player

El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf ( french pronunciation : ​ [ ɛ.ladʒ.dʒuf ] ; born 15 January 1981 ) is a senegalese former professional football player. Throughout his career, Diouf played as a winger or a ahead. Having started his professional football career in France with Sochaux, Rennes and Lens, Diouf finalised a move to Premier League side Liverpool anterior [ 4 ] to the 2002 FIFA World Cup for Senegal and went on to have a memorable tournament. He has besides played in England ‘s top flight for Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers before a scrimp in the scottish Premier League with Rangers. In 2011, he joined Football League Championship side Doncaster Rovers but was released at the end of the 2011–12 season following the club ‘s delegating. He then moved to Leeds United where he spent two seasons. During his nine-year international career, he scored 21 goals in 69 caps, and besides garnered considerable notoriety for a serial of controversial incidents. [ 5 ]

early liveliness [edit ]

Born in Dakar, Senegal, Diouf came from a Serer background of the noble Diouf family. [ citation needed ]

Club career [edit ]

early career [edit ]

Diouf started his career in France with Sochaux-Montbéliard. He made his debut appearance in a 2–1 acquire against Bastia on 12 November 1998, before moving to Rennes for the 1999–2000 temper. He moved to Lens the come season, spending two years at the Pas-de-Calais .

liverpool [edit ]

In early June 2002 he was reportedly linked with the English cabaret Liverpool who had besides just signed his club and external compatriot Salif Diao. The newsworthiness initially broke following his valet of The Match performance in the open FIFA World Cup 2002 1-0 group game volt France, who were the champion World and european Champions and one of the favourites to win the 2002 tournament. Lens initially denied that the sign had been made, but it was last confirmed on 2 June with an estimate price tag of £10m. His continue impressive performances in the World Cup for Senegal, where they reached the draw finals, led to a lot exhilaration prior to his arrival in England. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Diouf was the striker that director Gérard Houllier hoped would take the Premier League title from Arsenal, after Liverpool had finished in second topographic point the former season. [ 8 ] Diouf won praises for his early games for Liverpool including his beginning game at Anfield where he scored two goals, his first gear for the club, in a 3–0 acquire against Southampton on 24 August 2002. [ 8 ] He started the 2003 Football League Cup Final as Liverpool defeated Manchester United. [ 9 ] Liverpool fans had to wait until March 2003 for Diouf ‘s next goal for Liverpool. That occurred in a 2–0 win against Bolton Wanderers, in a game where he scored once and provided the assist for the second. [ 10 ] The following game saw Diouf play in a UEFA Cup equal against Celtic at Parkhead which finished 1–1. The game marked a watershed in his career when, in the 87th moment, he spat at a Celtic sports fan, causing push disturbances and Diouf to be interviewed by the police. He received a two catch banish and was fined two weeks wages with Liverpool making a contribution of £60,000 to a Glasgow charity of Celtic ‘s choice. [ 11 ] Diouf failed to score for the remainder of the 2002–03 season or at all in the 2003–04 season which saw him pick up 13 yellow and one red card which came on 7 January 2004 when he was sent-off in a 1–0 away win against Chelsea for fouling hadrian Mutu. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] By then he had become unpopular due to both his position and his miss of goals. Jamie Carragher late said of him “ He has one of the worst strike rates of any forward in Liverpool history. He’s the only no. 9 ever to go through a whole season without scoring, in fact he’s probably the only no. 9 of any club to do that. He was always the last one to get picked in training. ” [ 8 ] At the begin of the 2004–05 season he was loaned to Bolton Wanderers. [ 8 ] At the end of the season-long loanword — and after scoring a mere six goals in 80 appearances with only three in the league — Diouf left Liverpool signing permanently for Bolton in the summer of 2005. [ 8 ]

Bolton Wanderers [edit ]

Bolton Wanderers bought Diouf from Liverpool for an undisclosed tip at the get down of the 2005–06 season, after they had loaned the player for the 2004–05 season. On 15 September 2005, Diouf scored Bolton ‘s first ever finish in a european competition against Lokomotiv Plovdiv in a UEFA Cup peer at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton went on to win the game 2–1. He was largely successful at Bolton and became a fans ‘ favourite ascribable to his flare and direct range. Diouf confirmed in an consultation with the BBC that he would be leaving Bolton at the end of the 2007–08 season and that his goal against Sunderland on 3 May marked his stopping point appearance at the Reebok Stadium. [ 14 ]

sunderland [edit ]

Diouf signed for Sunderland on 28 July 2008, after Bolton agreed to a transfer tip of £2.63m. [ 15 ] He signed a four-year compress at the Stadium of Light after undergoing a medical. [ 16 ] Diouf said that he was happy to join Sunderland. [ 17 ] Then-manager Roy Keane stated he was happy that Diouf had joined Sunderland saying : “ El Hadji has constantly been the kind of musician confrontation teams and supporters hate. That ‘s why we ‘re please to now have him in our police squad. ” [ 15 ] Diouf made a promising begin for Sunderland but failed to score in any of his sixteen appearances .

Blackburn Rovers [edit ]

Diouf signed for Blackburn Rovers for a £2 million fee on 30 January 2009, signing a three-and-half-year consider after just six months at the Stadium of Light, rejoining erstwhile Bolton director Sam Allardyce at the club. [ 18 ] He was given the number 18 shirt and scored his first gear goal for the cabaret against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 11 March 2009 in a 2–1 winnings. [ 19 ] During the summer transfer window, Blackburn director Sam Allardyce revealed that Diouf was acquired for £1 million. [ 20 ] Diouf scored his first home goal for Rovers at Ewood Park in the cabaret ‘s 3–1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 12 September 2009. On 2 January 2010, he was sent off in a 3–1 frustration to Aston Villa in the third gear round of the FA Cup. [ 21 ] On 21 March 2010, Diouf scored the equalising finish against Chelsea in a 1–1 draw at Ewood Park which opened up the 2010 deed race. He started the following two Premier League games against Birmingham and Burnley ; he then made his fortieth appearance for the cabaret at Fratton Park playing against bottom-of-the-league side Portsmouth in a 0–0 draw on 3 April. By the goal of the 2009–10 season, he had made 27 appearances, scoring three goals. On 20 August 2011, Blackburn director Steve Kean confirmed that Diouf was not in his first-team plans, and that he expected him to leave before the end of the 2011–12 transfer window. [ 22 ] On 31 August 2011, Blackburn terminated Diouf ‘s contract by reciprocal consent. He had fallen out with director Kean after returning late for pre-season educate. [ 23 ]

lend to Rangers [edit ]

On the last sidereal day of the 2011 January transportation window, Diouf joined Scottish Premier League champions Rangers on lend until the end of the 2010–11 temper. [ 24 ] He made his debut on 2 February, coming on as a 20th-minute utility for injured teammate Lee McCulloch during a 1–0 gain over Hearts at Ibrox. He made his first start for Rangers four days late in a 2–2 draw with Celtic in the scottish Cup. Diouf scored his first finish for Rangers on 24 February in a 2–2 draw against Sporting CP in the Europa League, netting the open goal of the game with a header in the twentieth moment. [ 25 ] He then scored his second goal for Rangers on 13 March in a scottish Premier League match with Kilmarnock, again scoring the foremost finish as Rangers won 2–1. [ 26 ] In March 2011 Diouf was depart of the Rangers team that won the Scottish League Cup after a 2–1 winnings over rivals Celtic. [ 27 ] Diouf besides collected an SPL winners medal as Rangers performed a comeback from two points behind celtic to win the league by one indicate .

Doncaster Rovers [edit ]

In October 2011, Diouf was handed a test by West Ham United and their director, Sam Allardyce, his director at both Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers. [ 28 ] On 28 October it was announced that Diouf would not be joining the baseball club because of a miss of seaworthiness and his bad reputation. Allardyce by and by confirmed that the depth of feeling amongst fans was taken into account in his decision not to sign the musician. [ 29 ] On 31 October 2011, Diouf signed for Doncaster Rovers on a three-month contract. [ 30 ] He scored his first gear two goals for Doncaster against Ipswich at Portman Road on 5 November 2011, earning man of the Match award and a 3–2 victory. [ 31 ] He took the captain ‘s armband in a scoreless draw against Watford but a train injury meant he was unable to play the follow games. On 2 February 2012, Diouf signed a six-month distribute with the view to an extra year. After Doncaster were relegated from The Championship, On 25 April 2012, Diouf was believed to have held talks with Leeds United with a view to signing him at the end of his Doncaster abridge. [ 32 ] Diouf claimed on 26 April he was identical cutting on moving to Leeds despite Leeds coach, Neil Warnock, having previously described him as “ lower than a sewer rat ” for an incident involving Jamie Mackie. [ 33 ] On 19 July 2012, it was announced that Diouf would not face charges for rape after being arrested following an incident in a Manchester cabaret in April. [ 34 ]

Leeds United [edit ]

On 9 August 2012, Diouf joined Leeds United on trial and started training with the first base team. [ 35 ] Diouf was confirmed to have signed a non-contract deal with Leeds United on 11 August. [ 36 ] Diouf appeared as a substitute in the second one-half for Leeds against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on 11 August. [ 37 ] Diouf made his league début for Leeds as a first-half ersatz in their 1–0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. [ 38 ] He made his foremost beginning for Leeds in their 2–1 victory over Peterborough United on 25 August. [ 39 ] On 1 September, Diouf scored his beginning goal for Leeds in a 3–3 draw against his early golf club Blackburn Rovers. [ 40 ] After the catch it was announced that Diouf had signed a permanent contract at Leeds until January 2013. [ 41 ] Diouf revealed that he had turned down more lucrative offers from elsewhere to become ‘a legend ‘ at Leeds by helping them reach the Premier League. [ 42 ] Diouf put in an impressive performance for Leeds ‘ 2–1 victory against Premiership slope Everton on 25 September. [ 43 ] After the match, coach Neil Warnock described Diouf as his ‘matador ‘ and that Diouf had made promises to stay at the club beyond his initial six-month contract. [ 44 ] Diouf scored a brace against Bristol City to help earn Leeds a 3–2 victory on 29 September. [ 45 ] Diouf was named master against his old side Bolton Wanderers in a 2–2 pull on 2 October. [ 46 ] Diouf scored his fourthly goal of the season on 30 October in a 3–0 League Cup win against Premier League english Southampton F.C. to help Leeds overture to the quarter-finals of the contest. [ 47 ] Diouf scored his milestone 5th goal of the season with a punishment to help earn Leeds a 2–2 tie against Brighton on 2 November. [ 48 ] On 14 December 2012, Diouf signed a new 18-month share at the club taking him until the end of the 2013–14 season. [ 49 ] He scored his seventh finish of the season against Brighton on 27 April, but received his first crimson poster as a Leeds player for celebrating it with a crude ‘gesture ‘ towards the Brighton fans. [ 50 ] In May 2013, after Guinea club AS Kaloum claimed to have signed Diouf, Leeds United and Diouf strenuously dismissed the claim as ‘complete folderol, ‘ stating that Diouf would be playing for Leeds in the 2013–14 temper. [ 51 ] Diouf was ruled out of the entire 2013–14 pre-season due to a tibia infection. [ 52 ] On 15 August 2013, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Diouf had been made available for transfer. [ 53 ] In December 2013, it was revealed that Diouf had missed several Leeds fixtures and educate sessions ascribable to unspecified ‘personal problems ‘, [ 54 ] and in orderliness to attend the funerals of early mentor and Senegal coach Bruno Metsu and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela. [ 55 ] Diouf made his first start for Leeds in respective months on 28 January in a 1-1 disembowel against Ipswich Town. [ 56 ] It was to be his final game for the club. On 16 May 2014, Diouf was released. [ 57 ]

Sabah FA [edit ]

In November 2014, Diouf signed a annual condense with malaysian side Sabah FA of the Malaysia Premier League, and was named team captain. [ 58 ] however, Diouf soon found himself embroiled in controversy with his fresh club after comparing it unfavorably with rival cabaret Johor Darul Takzim II F.C. during an interview with Johor television. Diouf was reported to have said that “ he is uncoerced to build a JDT academy on his own bring in Senegal and JDT will get the monetary returns from the proceed of selling players to european countries. He besides said that he is will to play for JDT without any money because of his love for the country of Johor a well as being impressed by the vision and deputation of the cabaret ”. Diouf said this was due to the lack of vision and mission by Sabah Football Association ( SAFA ). Deeming this behavior “ unprofessional, ” Sabah stripped Diouf of the captainship in July 2015. [ 59 ]

International career [edit ]

Diouf ‘s international career started in April 2000 against Benin. He has earned 69 international caps and scored 21 goals for his area. He played for Senegal in their 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign and was elected to the World Cup All-Star team, after leading Senegal to the quarter-finals and victories over France ( 1–0 ) and Sweden ( 2–1 ). Senegal finally lost 1–0 in extra time to Turkey. He was besides part of the Senegal team who were the runner-up in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, but was one of the players who missed a punishment during the gunfight in the final examination as they lost to Cameroon. [ 60 ] Diouf was banned from international football for four matches in 2004 for a verbal assault on referee Ali Bujsaim. [ 61 ] In 2004, he was named in the FIFA 100, a tilt of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé in junction with FIFA ‘s centennial celebrations. In October 2007, Diouf retired from international football, stating he had been frustrated by organizational problems with the english. [ 62 ] however, Senegal coach Henryk Kasperczak announced later in the calendar month that he would name Diouf in the future squad. [ 63 ] In 2011 Diouf was banned for five years from playing for the Senegal national side, after reacting angrily to claims that he had failed to attend a disciplinary learn. [ 64 ] In September 2012, The Senegal Football Federation confirmed that Diouf ‘s five-year prohibition had been decreased and that he was available to play for the Senegal national side again. [ 65 ] After becoming available for the Senegal national side, in October 2012 Diouf was left out of the police squad to face Côte d’Ivoire in an african Cup of Nations modifier, Diouf proclaimed that he felt he was left out of the police squad because the Senegal federation were ‘scared ‘ of him. [ 66 ] Diouf was doubly named the African Footballer of the Year. [ 67 ]

Controversies [edit ]

In France [edit ]

Diouf ‘s professional career has at times been overshadowed by controversy. During his time at Sochaux, he was involved in a succession of minor transgressions. This resulted in the move to Rennes, where he was convicted for driving without a license, and was involved in a car crash. Taking into account his age and apparent compunction, the french courts sentenced Diouf to community service. [ 68 ]

In England [edit ]

respective times during his early Premier League career, Diouf was accused of spitting at fans and opposition players. In 2002, he was accused of spitting at West Ham United fans while warming up as a substitute for Liverpool during a game at Anfield. An investigation by Merseyside Police found no attest that an umbrage had been committed, but that Diouf had spat on the ground. [ 69 ] On 13 March 2003, while playing for Liverpool, he was involved in an incidental when he spat at Celtic fans during a telecast UEFA Cup quarter-final. His clubhouse fined him two weeks ‘ wages, [ 70 ] UEFA gave him a two-match banish, [ 71 ] and Diouf was charged with assail. [ 72 ] Although Diouf initially pleaded not guilty, [ 73 ] he former changed his plea to guilty, and was fined £5,000. [ 74 ] In November 2004 while on loan to Bolton, Diouf was charged by the patrol for spitting at an 11-year-old Middlesbrough fan during a 1–1 tie. [ 75 ] then, on 27 November 2004, Diouf clap in the grimace of Portsmouth player Arjan de Zeeuw. [ 76 ] Bolton fined him two weeks ‘ wages and the FA banned him for three games after he pleaded guilty to a charge of improper behavior. [ 77 ] Bolton coach Sam Allardyce late revealed that he considered sending Diouf to see a sports psychologist. [ 78 ] On 20 September 2009, Diouf was questioned by police after allegations that he had made a racial smudge to a ball-boy during a catch at Everton, telling him to “ fuck off, white son ”. [ 79 ] Diouf defended his actions by saying that the ball-boy had thrown the ball to him “ like a bone to a pawl ” and that Everton fans were racially abusing and throwing bananas at him. Police found no evidence of this. [ 80 ] In April 2010, Diouf was arrested and charged with motoring offences in Manchester. [ 81 ] On 8 January 2011, following Blackburn ‘s 1–0 succeed over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third gear beat, QPR coach Neil Warnock accused Diouf of taunting Jamie Mackie whilst the latter dwell on the pitch injured with a separate branch and referred to Diouf as “ lower than a sewer scab ”. [ 82 ] On 14 July 2011, it was reported that Diouf had not joined Blackburn Rovers for a pre-season tour of Austria and that his whereabouts were unknown. [ 83 ] The golf club stated that disciplinary measures would be taken against him. [ 84 ] On 15 April 2012, Diouf and five other men were arrested following reports of a cabaret bash in Manchester. One homo was badly hurt and Diouf was bailed for a week. [ 85 ] On 27 April 2013, Diouf was shown a controversial crimson circuit board at Elland Road after making nauseating gestures towards the Brighton away fans. [ 86 ]

In Scotland [edit ]

In February 2011, Diouf became embroiled in an controversy with Celtic Captain Scott Brown after several on pitch altercations with Brown in the scots Cup 5th round, most noteworthy of which resulted in Brown specifically turning to Diouf to celebrate his equalising goal. [ 87 ] On 2 March 2011, Diouf was one of three Rangers players sent off in the scots Cup 5th round play back after an affray at the touchline with Neil Lennon and protest to the referee at full-time. [ 88 ] [ 89 ] Diouf was fined £5,000 in April 2011 and warned over his future demeanor by the Scottish Football Association. [ 90 ]
In 2017, Diouf, was in Dakar working as a politics good will ambassador and adviser on sport to Senegalese President Macky Sall, and running his own sports newspaper and a gymnasium. [ 91 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

International [edit ]

Appearances and goals by national team and year[3]
National team Year Apps Goals
Senegal 2000 3 0
2001 10 11
2002 15 2
2003 8 3
2004 6 0
2005 7 4
2006 7 0
2007 3 2
2008 11 2
Total 70 24

Honours [edit ]

Liverpool
Rangers
Senegal
Individual

References [edit ]