No police probe into Diouf racist claims

No police investigation has been launched into allegations by Senegal international El-Hadji Diouf that bananas were thrown at him at Goodison Park, Premier League club Everton insisted on Wednesday.

The Blackburn player is being investigated by the Merseyside force for alleged racial abuse of a 14-year-old ball boy during Sunday’s Premier League clash.

Diouf told police after the final whistle that bananas were thrown at him from the Everton crowd.

But officers immediately scoured the area next to the pitch and in the stands but no bananas were found. No pictures have surfaced to back up his claim either.

An Everton spokesman told Press Association Sport: “Our only concern is a child protection matter involving a 14-year-old boy.

“We have spoken to the police and have been told that is the only investigation they are concerned with and that they are not investigating the behaviour of any Everton supporter.”

Diouf was seemingly involved in an altercation with the youngster during the first half at Goodison Park. The Senegal international is believed to have complained that the ball was not thrown back into play quickly enough.

It is understood that Diouf told Blackburn staff after the match that he had had fruit or a piece of fruit thrown at him by Everton fans.

Diouf also denied he had racially abused the ball boy.

He said to Monte Carlo Radio: “People threw bananas at me, and the referee told me that he would report this to the police.”

He added: “I have had other problems, with spitting or fights on the pitch – but not with racism. I can understand that they don’t like me at Everton, but to say that I uttered racist words towards a child is nonsense.”