A former Liverpool player who Steven Gerrard disliked is reportedly at risk of being sent to prison.
As many players have explained, Gerrard and fellow Liverpudlian Jamie Carragher were seemingly almost as powerful as the manager during their time at Liverpool, with the pair known for their high-training standards and ability to police the dressing room.
Previously, Gerrard explained how he used to keep a close eye on the first training sessions of new signings, with Xabi Alonso and Luis Suarez among those who made an instant positive impression on him.
However, one man the former Liverpool captain wasn't – and seemingly still isn’t – a fan of was El Hadji Diouf, who arrived at Anfield from Lens for £10 million in 2002 following an impressive World Cup with Senegal.
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But he failed to impress at Liverpool, and both his on and off-field behaviour left a lot to be desired and caused Gerrard to describe him as the player “at the top of the list of Liverpool signings I liked least”, in his 2015 autobiography.
“He had no real interest in football and no respect for the club or the fans,” Gerrard added.
“I’ve always felt he cared more about himself than the team. He was all about the show, not the substance.”
The winger was accused of spitting at opponents and fans on multiple occasions during his playing career.
Diouf also played for Bolton, Sunderland, Blackburn, Doncaster, Leeds, as well as Rangers during a 2011 loan spell.
Now, aged 44, having been retired for a decade, the Senegalese has found himself in trouble again.
As reported by The Sun, Diouf is at risk of a potential jail sentence after being accused of 'abandoning his family'.
It is alleged that he has not paid his ex-wife Valerie Bishop’s child maintenance payments worth £14,000 following the pair’s 2023 divorce.
The outlet claims that Diouf failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing in Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday despite being ordered to pay a monthly child support payment worth £670 plus school fees and medical bills.
The nation’s laws means a refusal to pay maintenance can result in prison time.
Valerie’s lawyer, Mame Adama Gueye, said: “El Hadji Diouf is fully solvent.
“He has the means to pay but refuses to do so.
“He leads a comfortable existence and divides his time between Dakar and Saly Portudal.”
Diouf is due back at the high court on December 5.
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Senegal, Premier League
Luke Davies