Diouf facing wife-beating charges

LONDON – Bolton Wanderers’ Senegalese international El-Hadji Diouf has been released on bail after being arrested over allegations that he beat up his wife at their home, police said.

The 25-year-old forward was taken into detention early on Sunday following reports that he had assaulted his wife Valerie and cut her lip. “Police were called to an address in Bolton at 06h45 on November 5 following reports of an assault,” a Manchester police spokesman said.”Officers arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of committing assault.He has since been bailed pending further inquiries to appear at a police station tomorrow (Wednesday).”Diouf played in Bolton’s 1-0 Premiership home defeat by Wigan on Saturday.The former African Footballer of the Year has been a controversial figure since joining Liverpool from French club Lens in 2002.He has twice appeared in court following incidents of spitting.In September 2003 he was fined 5,000 at Glasgow’s Sheriff Court for spitting on a Celtic supporter during a Uefa Cup quarter final with Liverpool.Last November, he pleaded guilty to reckless behaviour at Teeside Magistrate’s Court when an 11-year-old fan claimed he had been hit by juice the player had spat from his mouth in a match at Middlesbrough’s ground.Nampa-AFP”Police were called to an address in Bolton at 06h45 on November 5 following reports of an assault,” a Manchester police spokesman said.”Officers arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of committing assault.He has since been bailed pending further inquiries to appear at a police station tomorrow (Wednesday).”Diouf played in Bolton’s 1-0 Premiership home defeat by Wigan on Saturday.The former African Footballer of the Year has been a controversial figure since joining Liverpool from French club Lens in 2002.He has twice appeared in court following incidents of spitting.In September 2003 he was fined 5,000 at Glasgow’s Sheriff Court for spitting on a Celtic supporter during a Uefa Cup quarter final with Liverpool.Last November, he pleaded guilty to reckless behaviour at Teeside Magistrate’s Court when an 11-year-old fan claimed he had been hit by juice the player had spat from his mouth in a match at Middlesbrough’s ground.Nampa-AFP