:El Hadji Diouf

Born in Dakar, Senegal, Diouf came from a Serer background of the noble Diouf family.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

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

In early June 2002 he was reportedly linked with the English club Liverpool who had also just signed his club and international compatriot Salif Diao. The news initially broke following his Man of The Match performance in the opening FIFA World Cup 2002 1-0 group game vs France, who were the defending World and European Champions and one of the favourites to win the 2002 tournament. Lens initially denied that the signing had been made, but it was finally confirmed on 2 June with an estimated price tag of £10m. His continued impressive performances in the World Cup for Senegal, where they reached the quarter-finals, led to much excitement prior to his arrival in England.{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/senegal/newsid_2020000/2020547.stm| title=Diouf signs for Liverpool| date=1 June 2002| publisher=BBC Sport| access-date=23 July 2018}}{{cite news|last=Owen|first=Terry|title=Jamie Carragher blasted by former Liverpool FC team mate El-Hadji Diouf|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/12/23/jamie-carragher-blasted-by-former-liverpool-fc-team-mate-el-hadji-diouf-100252-27875364/|access-date=14 July 2012|newspaper=liverpoolecho.co.uk|date=23 December 2010}} Diouf was the striker that manager Gérard Houllier hoped would take the Premier League title from Arsenal, after Liverpool had finished in second place the previous season.

Diouf won praises for his early games for Liverpool including his first game at Anfield where he scored two goals, his first for the club, in a 3–0 win against Southampton on 24 August 2002.{{cite web|title=Diouf – Player profile|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/291|publisher=lfchistory.net|access-date=14 July 2012}} He started the 2003 Football League Cup Final as Liverpool defeated Manchester United.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2811805.stm|title=Liverpool lift Worthington Cup |publisher=BBC|date=2 March 2003 |access-date=8 September 2016}}

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.{{cite news|title=Liverpool cruise past Bolton|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2805065.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 July 2012|date=8 March 2003}} The next game saw Diouf play in a UEFA Cup match against Celtic at Parkhead which finished 1–1. The game marked a watershed in his career when, in the 87th minute, he spat at a Celtic fan, causing crowd disturbances and Diouf to be interviewed by the police. He received a two match ban and was fined two weeks wages with Liverpool making a donation of £60,000 to a Glasgow charity of Celtic's choice.{{cite news|title=Diouf gets two match ban|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/2861941.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 July 2012|date=18 March 2003}}

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 Adrian Mutu.{{cite news|title=Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3362519.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 July 2012|date=7 January 2004}}{{Soccerbase season|21278|2003|access-date=14 July 2012}} By then he had become unpopular due to both his attitude and his lack of goals. Jamie Carragher later 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." At the beginning of the 2004–05 season he was loaned to Bolton Wanderers. At the end of the season-long loan — 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.

Bolton Wanderers bought Diouf from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee at the start 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 goal in a European competition against Lokomotiv Plovdiv in a UEFA Cup match at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton went on to win the game 2–1. He was largely successful at Bolton and became a fans' favourite due to his flair and direct running. Diouf confirmed in an interview 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 last appearance at the Reebok Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7382454.stm|title=I am definitely leaving Bolton – Diouf|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 July 2008|date=3 May 2008}}

Diouf signed for Sunderland on 28 July 2008, after Bolton agreed to a transfer fee of £2.63m.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/7527361.stm|title=Diouf completes Sunderland switch|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 July 2008|date=28 July 2008}} He signed a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light after undergoing a medical.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23522594-details/2.6million+Diouf+signs+up+for+the+bad-boy+band+at+Sunderland/article.do|title=£2.63 former Liverpool striker Diouf signs up for the bad-boy band at Sunderland|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=26 October 2008|date=29 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210191741/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23522594-details/2.6million+Diouf+signs+up+for+the+bad-boy+band+at+Sunderland/article.do|archive-date=10 December 2008}} Diouf said that he was happy to join Sunderland.{{cite news|url=http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=15305|title=Cats sign striker Diouf|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|date=28 July 2008|access-date=28 July 2008}} Then-manager Roy Keane stated he was happy that Diouf had joined Sunderland saying: "El Hadji has always been the kind of player opposition teams and supporters hate. That's why we're delighted to now have him in our squad." Diouf made a promising start for Sunderland but failed to score in any of his sixteen appearances.

Diouf signed for Blackburn Rovers for a £2 million fee on 30 January 2009, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal after just six months at the Stadium of Light, rejoining former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce at the club.{{Cite web|author=Guardian Staff|date=30 January 2009|title=El Hadji Diouf completes £2m move to Blackburn|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/30/diouf-blackburn-sunderland-transfer-allardyce|access-date=14 March 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}} He was given the number 18 shirt and scored his first goal for the club against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 11 March 2009 in a 2–1 win.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7922053.stm|title=Fulham 1–2 Blackburn|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 March 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009}} During the summer transfer window, Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce revealed that Diouf was acquired for £1 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1711162,00.html|title=Big Sam Takes Out Time To Reflect|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.|access-date=2 July 2009|date=3 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704101619/http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1711162,00.html|archive-date=4 July 2009}} Diouf scored his first home goal for Rovers at Ewood Park in the club's 3–1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 12 September 2009. On 2 January 2010, he was sent off in a 3–1 defeat to Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6973766.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530213812/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6973766.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 May 2010|title=El-Hadji Diouf dismissal gifts victory to Villa |date=2 January 2010|work=The Times|access-date=4 January 2010 | location=London | first=Richard | last=Rae}} On 21 March 2010, Diouf scored the equalising goal against Chelsea in a 1–1 draw at Ewood Park which opened up the 2010 title race. He started the next two Premier League games against Birmingham and Burnley; he then made his fortieth appearance for the club at Fratton Park playing against bottom-of-the-league side Portsmouth in a 0–0 draw on 3 April. By the end of the 2009–10 season, he had made 27 appearances, scoring three goals.

On 20 August 2011, Blackburn manager 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11676_7113607,00.html|title=Diouf destined for Ewood exit – Boss Kean has no plans to use former Senegal international|publisher=Sky Sports|date=20 August 2011|access-date=20 August 2011}} On 31 August 2011, Blackburn terminated Diouf's contract by mutual consent. He had fallen out with manager Kean after returning late for pre-season training.{{cite news|title=El Hadji Diouf leaves Blackburn Rovers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14748844.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 September 2011|date=1 September 2011}}

File:Diouf cropped.jpg during his time with Rangers.]]

On the last day of the 2011 January transfer window, Diouf joined Scottish Premier League champions Rangers on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/01/el-hadji-diouf-rangers|title=Walter Smith tips El Hadji Diouf to be phlegmatic at Rangers|date=1 February 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 February 2011|location=London|first=Ewan|last=Murray}} He made his debut on 2 February, coming on as a 20th-minute substitute for injured teammate Lee McCulloch during a 1–0 win over Hearts at Ibrox. He made his first start for Rangers four days later in a 2–2 draw with Celtic in the Scottish Cup. Diouf scored his first goal for Rangers on 24 February in a 2–2 draw against Sporting CP in the Europa League, netting the opening goal of the game with a header in the 20th minute.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/24/sporting-lisbon-rangers-europa-league|title=Maurice Edu strikes late to send Rangers into Europa League raptures|date=24 February 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 February 2011|location=London}} He then scored his second goal for Rangers on 13 March in a Scottish Premier League match with Kilmarnock, again scoring the first goal as Rangers won 2–1.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9422333.stm|title=Rangers 2–1 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 March 2011|access-date=13 March 2011}} In March 2011 Diouf was part of the Rangers team that won the Scottish League Cup after a 2–1 win over rivals Celtic.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/9428470.stm|title=Celtic 1–2 Rangers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 March 2011|access-date=24 March 2011|first=Andy|last=Campbell}} Diouf also collected an SPL winners medal as Rangers performed a comeback from two points behind Celtic to win the league by one point.

In October 2011, Diouf was handed a trial by West Ham United and their manager, Sam Allardyce, his manager at both Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite web|title=Hammers weigh up Diouf bid|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/7258014/hammers-weigh-up-diouf-bid|access-date=14 March 2021|website=Sky Sports|language=en}} On 28 October it was announced that Diouf would not be joining the club because of a lack of fitness and his bad reputation. Allardyce later confirmed that the depth of feeling amongst fans was taken into account in his decision not to sign the player.{{cite news | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/7271614/No-West-Ham-deal-for-Diouf | title=No West Ham deal for Diouf | publisher=Sky Sports | date=28 October 2011 | access-date=30 October 2011}}

On 31 October 2011, Diouf signed for Doncaster Rovers on a three-month contract.{{cite news | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11734/7283314/Doncaster-deal-for-Diouf | title=Doncaster deal for Diouf | publisher=Sky Sports | date=31 October 2011 | access-date=31 October 2011}} He scored his first two goals for Doncaster against Ipswich at Portman Road on 5 November 2011, earning Man of the Match honours and a 3–2 victory.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/981158/the-trawler%3A-sharp-ovation%2C-clough%27s-record?cc=5901|title=The Trawler: Sharp ovation, Clough's record|work=ESPN FC|access-date=12 September 2014|archive-date=11 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111003412/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/981158/the-trawler%3A-sharp-ovation%2C-clough%27s-record?cc=5901|url-status=dead}} He took the captain's armband in a goalless draw against Watford but a training injury meant he was unable to play the following games. On 2 February 2012, Diouf signed a six-month deal 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 contract.{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7703380/Leeds-hold-Diouf-talks

| title=Leeds hold Diouf talks: Controversial forward could be heading to Elland Road| publisher=Sky Sports| date= 25 April 2012}} Diouf claimed on 26 April he was very keen on moving to Leeds despite Leeds manager, Neil Warnock, having previously described him as "lower than a sewer rat" for an incident involving Jamie Mackie.{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7706661/| title=Diouf keen on Leeds move: Senegal ace has no problems with Warnock| publisher=Sky Sports| date= 26 April 2012}}

On 19 July 2012, it was announced that Diouf would not face charges for assault after being arrested following an incident in a Manchester nightclub in April.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18898084 |work=BBC News| title=El Hadji Diouf will not face charges over Manchester club fight | date=19 July 2012}}

On 9 August 2012, Diouf joined Leeds United on trial and started training with the first team.{{cite news| url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-diouf-back-in-equation-1-4824945 | work=Yorkshire Evening Post | title=Leeds United: Diouf back in equation | date=11 August 2012}} Diouf was confirmed to have signed a non-contract deal with Leeds United on 11 August.{{cite news| url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120811/diouf-signs-up-for-united_2247585_2878199 | title=Diouf Signs Up for United | date=11 August 2012| publisher=Leeds United F.C.| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814074741/https://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120811/diouf-signs-up-for-united_2247585_2878199| archive-date=14 August 2012| url-status=dead}} Diouf appeared as a substitute in the second half for Leeds against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on 11 August.{{Cite news| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120811/shrewsbury-live_2247585_2878205| title = United Cruise to Cup Victory| access-date = 11 August 2012| publisher = Leeds United A.F.C.| date = 11 August 2012}}

Diouf made his league début for Leeds as a first-half substitute in their 1–0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{Cite news| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120818/united-open-up-with-a-winner_2247585_2889721| title = Becchio goal secures win against Wolves...| access-date = 18 August 2012| publisher = Leeds United A.F.C.| date = 18 August 2012}} He made his first start for Leeds in their 2–1 victory over Peterborough United on 25 August.{{Cite news| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120825/luciano-double-secures-success_2247585_2899270| title = Luciano Double Secures Success| access-date = 25 August 2012| publisher = Leeds United A.F.C.| date = 25 August 2012}}

On 1 September, Diouf scored his first goal for Leeds in a 3–3 draw against his former club Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite news| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120901/blackburn-live_2247585_2907184| title = United v Blackburn| access-date = 1 September 2012| publisher = Leeds United A.F.C.| date = 1 September 2012}} After the match it was announced that Diouf had signed a permanent contract at Leeds until January 2013.{{Cite news| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120901/diouf-signs-extended-deal_2247585_2907172

| title = Diouf Signs Extended Deal| access-date = 1 September 2012| publisher = Leeds United A.F.C.| date = 1 September 2012}} 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.{{Cite news| url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11715/8048021/El-Hadji-Diouf-to-become-Leeds-United-legend-by-firing-club-to-Premier-League| title = El-Hadji Diouf to become Leeds United legend by firing club to Premier League| access-date = 3 September 2012| publisher = Sky Sports| date = 3 September 2012}} Diouf put in an impressive performance for Leeds' 2–1 victory against Premiership side Everton on 25 September.{{cite web|title=United Sink Everton|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120925/united-sink-everton_2247585_2929725|publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=25 September 2012}} After the match, manager Neil Warnock described Diouf as his 'matador' and that Diouf had made promises to stay at the club beyond his initial six-month contract.{{cite web|title=He's Our Matador! – Boss on EHD|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120927/hes-our-matador-boss-on-ehd_2247585_2930701|publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=27 September 2012}}

Diouf scored a brace against Bristol City to help earn Leeds a 3–2 victory on 29 September.{{cite web|title=Diouf double and stunning Tonge strike secure win...|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120929/victorious-in-bristol_2247585_2933697|publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=29 September 2012}} Diouf was named captain against his old side Bolton Wanderers in a 2–2 draw on 2 October.{{cite web|title=Davies Double Denies United Victory|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121002/davies-double-denies-united-victory_2247585_2936572|publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=2 October 2012}} Diouf scored his fourth goal of the season on 30 October in a 3–0 League Cup win against Premier League side Southampton F.C. to help Leeds advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.{{cite news|title=Leeds 3 – Southampton 0|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053632|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 October 2012}} Diouf scored his milestone 5th goal of the season with a penalty to help earn Leeds a 2–2 draw against Brighton on 2 November.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20091787| title = Brighton 2 Leeds 2| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 3 November 2012}}

On 14 December 2012, Diouf signed a new 18-month deal at the club taking him until the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121214/diouf-signs-new-united-deal_2247585_3009981| title = Diouf Signs New United Deal| publisher = Leeds United F.C.| date =14 December 2012}} He scored his 7th goal of the season against Brighton on 27 April, but received his first red card as a Leeds player for celebrating it with a rude 'gesture' towards the Brighton fans.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130427/nine-man-united-fall-at-home_2247585_3158082| title = Nine Man United Fall At Home| publisher = Leeds United F.C.| date =27 April 2013}}

In May 2013, after Guinea club AS Kaloum claimed to have signed Diouf, Leeds United and Diouf strenuously dismissed the claim as 'complete rubbish,' stating that Diouf would be playing for Leeds in the 2013–14 season.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130509/diouf-claims-are-complete-rubbish_2247585_3173036| title = Diouf Claims Are 'Complete Rubbish'| publisher = Leeds United F.C.| date =9 May 2013}} Diouf was ruled out of the entire 2013–14 pre-season due to a shin infection.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130715/its-a-waiting-game-for-diouf_2247585_3237761| title = It's a Waiting Game for Diouf| publisher = Leeds United F.C.| date = 15 July 2013}}

On 15 August 2013, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Diouf had been made available for transfer.{{cite news| url = http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/diouf-made-available-for-transfer-by-leeds-united-1-5953243| title = Diouf made available for transfer by Leeds United| work = Yorkshire Evening Post| date = 15 August 2013| access-date = 15 August 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100721195910/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/diouf-made-available-for-transfer-by-leeds-united-1-595324| archive-date = 21 July 2010| url-status = dead}}

In December 2013, it was revealed that Diouf had missed several Leeds fixtures and training sessions due to unspecified 'personal problems',{{cite news | url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11715/9069710/championship-leeds-uniteds-el-hadji-diouf-still-part-of-brian-mcdermotts-plans | title = El-Hadji Diouf still part of Brian McDermott's plans| publisher = Sky Sports| date = 12 December 2013}} and in order to attend the funerals of former mentor and Senegal coach Bruno Metsu and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.{{cite news| url = http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-utd/diouf-out-of-leeds-reckoning-after-mandela-funeral-visit-1-6314034| title = Diouf out of Leeds reckoning after Mandela funeral visit| work = Yorkshire Evening Post| date = 13 December 2013}}

Diouf made his first start for Leeds in several months on 28 January in a 1–1 draw against Ipswich Town.{{Cite web|title=Leeds United 1 - 1 Ipswich Town: Finished {{!}} 28 January 2014 {{!}} Championship {{!}} Yahoo Sports|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/football/championship/leeds-united-ipswich-town-6806/|access-date=14 March 2021|website=uk.sports.yahoo.com|language=en-GB}} It was to be his final game for the club. On 16 May 2014, Diouf was released.{{Cite web |title=Seven Released By United |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/mx32h0p52mvb1avxdicm2qfku/title/united-release-seven |publisher=Leeds United AFC |date=16 May 2014}}

In November 2014, Diouf signed a one-year contract with Malaysian side Sabah FA of the Malaysia Premier League, and was named team captain.{{cite web | url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2147665/former-liverpool-winger-el-hadji-diouf-joins-malaysian-club-sabah-fa | title=Former Liverpool winger El Hadji Diouf joins Malaysian club Sabah FA | publisher=ESPN | access-date=23 December 2014}} However, Diouf soon found himself embroiled in controversy with his new club after comparing it unfavourably with rival club Johor Darul Takzim II F.C. during an interview with Johor TV. Diouf was reported to have said that "he is willing to build a JDT academy on his own land in Senegal and JDT will get the monetary returns from the proceed of selling players to European countries. He also said that he is willing to play for JDT without any money because of his love for the state of Johor as well as being impressed by the vision and mission of the club". Diouf said this was due to the lack of vision and mission by Sabah Football Association (SAFA). Deeming this behaviour "unprofessional," Sabah stripped Diouf of the captaincy in July 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=101848|title=Diouf stripped of Rhinos captaincy|work=Daily Express|date=28 July 2015|access-date=17 August 2015}}

Diouf's international career started in April 2000 against Benin. He has earned 69 international caps and scored 21 goals for his country. 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 eventually lost 1–0 in extra time to Turkey. He was also part of the Senegal team who were the runners-up in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, but was one of the players who missed a penalty during the shootout in the final as they lost to Cameroon.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1812787.stm|title=Cameroon retain Cup|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2002 |access-date=5 October 2017}} Diouf was banned from international football for four matches in 2004 for a verbal assault on referee Ali Bujsaim.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3473725.stm|title=Diouf ban increased|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 July 2008|date=14 February 2004}}

In 2004, he was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé in conjunction with FIFA's centenary celebrations. In October 2007, Diouf retired from international football, stating he had been frustrated by organisational problems with the side.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7034156.stm|title=Diouf ends international career|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 July 2008|date=8 October 2007}} However, Senegal coach Henryk Kasperczak announced later in the month that he would name Diouf in the next squad.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7038159.stm|title=Diouf in Senegal squad|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 July 2008|date=10 October 2007}}

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 hearing.{{cite news|title=Senegal ban El-Hadji Diouf for five years|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jul/27/el-hadji-diouf-senegal-ban|work=The Guardian|access-date=27 July 2011|location=London|date=27 July 2011}} In September 2012, The Senegal Football Federation confirmed that Diouf's five-year ban had been decreased and that he was available to play for the Senegal national side again.{{cite web|title=Senegal resurrects El-Hadji Diouf|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/africa/news/120924/Senegal_resurrects_ElHadji_Diouf|work=SuperSport|access-date=24 September 2012}} After becoming available for the Senegal national side, in October 2012 Diouf was left out of the squad to face Côte d'Ivoire in an African Cup of Nations qualifier, Diouf proclaimed that he felt he was left out of the squad because the Senegal federation were 'scared' of him.{{cite news|title=Senegal Football Federation is scared of me, says Diouf|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19915390|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 October 2012}}

Diouf was twice named the African Footballer of the Year.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/2904359.stm| title = Diouf scoops award| publisher = BBC Sport| date =1 April 2003}}

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 licence, and was involved in a car crash. Taking into account his age and evident remorse, the French courts sentenced Diouf to community service.{{cite news |title=Bad boy Diouf |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/2850093.stm |publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 March 2003 |first=James |last=Copnall}}

Several 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 evidence that an offence had been committed, but that Diouf had spat on the ground.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/dec/09/newsstory.sport8 | title=Diouf cleared of spitting allegations | work=The Guardian | date=9 December 2002 | access-date=4 June 2011 | location=London}} On 13 March 2003, while playing for Liverpool, he was involved in an incident when he spat at Celtic fans during a televised UEFA Cup quarter-final. His club fined him two weeks' wages,{{cite news |title=Diouf fined over spit row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/2849009.stm |publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 March 2003}} UEFA gave him a two-match ban,{{cite news |title=Diouf gets two-match ban |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/2861941.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 March 2003}} and Diouf was charged with assault.{{cite news |title=Diouf charged over spitting row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3013909.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2003}} Although Diouf initially pleaded not guilty,{{cite news |title=Diouf denies spitting charge |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2949656.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 May 2003}} he later changed his plea to guilty, and was fined £5,000.{{cite news |title=Diouf fined for spitting |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3081022.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 September 2003}}

In November 2004 while on loan to Bolton, Diouf was charged by the police for spitting at an 11-year-old Middlesbrough fan during a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |title=Police probing Diouf 'spit' claim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/4016229.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 November 2004}} Then, on 27 November 2004, Diouf spat in the face of Portsmouth player Arjan de Zeeuw.{{cite news |title=Diouf accused in new spitting row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4048755.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2004}} Bolton fined him two weeks' wages and the FA banned him for three games after he pleaded guilty to a charge of improper conduct.{{cite news |title=Diouf pleads guilty over spitting |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4049409.stm |publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2004}} Bolton manager Sam Allardyce later revealed that he considered sending Diouf to see a sports psychologist.{{cite news |title=Allardyce to seek help for Diouf |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/4050947.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 November 2004}}

On 20 September 2009, Diouf was questioned by police after allegations that he had made a racial slur to a ball-boy during a match at Everton, telling him to "fuck off, white boy".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/20/el-hadji-diouf-craig-bellamy|title=El-Hadji Diouf has words for ball boy but Craig Bellamy lets fists do talking|author=Daniel Taylor and Andy Hunter|work=The Guardian|date=20 September 2009|access-date=11 January 2011|location=London}} Diouf defended his actions by saying that the ball-boy had thrown the ball to him "like a bone to a dog" and that Everton fans were racially abusing and throwing bananas at him. Police found no evidence of this.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/6221408/Everton-rubbish-El-Hadji-Diouf-banana-claims.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/6221408/Everton-rubbish-El-Hadji-Diouf-banana-claims.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Everton rubbish El-Hadji Diouf 'banana' claims | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=23 September 2009 | access-date=4 June 2011 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}

In April 2010, Diouf was arrested and charged with motoring offences in Manchester.{{cite news |title= Blackburn Rovers' El Hadji Diouf faces driving charges.|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8606867.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2010}}

On 8 January 2011, following Blackburn's 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round, QPR manager Neil Warnock accused Diouf of taunting Jamie Mackie whilst the latter lay on the pitch injured with a broken leg and referred to Diouf as "lower than a sewer rat".{{cite news |title= QPR manager Neil Warnock critical of 'nasty' El-Hadji Diouf|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/9351190.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 January 2011}}

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.{{cite news |title=El-Hadji Diouf 'goes missing'|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/14072011/58/premier-league-el-hadji-diouf-missing.html|publisher=Eurosport|date=14 July 2011}} The club stated that disciplinary measures would be taken against him.{{cite news |title=Absent Diouf faces Blackburn Rovers disciplinary|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9141920.Absent_Diouf_faces_Blackburn_Rovers_disciplinary/|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=15 July 2011}}

On 15 April 2012, Diouf and five other men were arrested following reports of a nightclub brawl in Manchester. One man was seriously injured and Diouf was bailed for a week.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-17724861 |work=BBC News| title=El Hadji Diouf arrested after Manchester club fight | date=16 April 2012}}

On 27 April 2013, Diouf was shown a controversial red card at Elland Road after making offensive gestures towards the Brighton away fans.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-1-2-brighton-and-hove-albion-mcdermott-issues-diouf-warning-1-5624081|title=Leeds United 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion: McDermott issues Diouf warning|work=Yorkshire Evening Post|access-date=12 September 2014}}

In February 2011, Diouf became embroiled in an argument with Celtic Captain Scott Brown after several on pitch altercations with Brown in the Scottish Cup 5th round, most notable of which resulted in Brown specifically turning to Diouf to celebrate his equalising goal.{{cite news| url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/celtic-captain-scott-brown-rangers-1094348 | work=Daily Record|location=Scotland | title=Celtic captain Scott Brown: Rangers rival El Hadji Diouf insulted my family & bragged about his wealth | date=11 February 2011}}

On 2 March 2011, Diouf was one of three Rangers players sent off in the Scottish Cup 5th round replay after an altercation at the touchline with Neil Lennon and dissent to the referee at full-time.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/9409758.stm |work=BBC News| first=Andy | last=Campbell | title=Celtic 1–0 Rangers | date=2 March 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9383749.stm|title=Aberdeen 0–3 Celtic|date=1 February 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 February 2011|first=Keir|last=Murray}} Diouf was fined £5,000 in April 2011 and warned over his future conduct by the Scottish Football Association.{{cite news| url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/04/12/rangers-duo-diouf-bougherra-fined-but-not-banned-for-old-firm-fracas-86908-23056597/ | work=Daily Record|location=Scotland | title=Rangers duo Diouf & Bougherra fined but not banned for Old Firm fracas | date=12 April 2011}}

In 2017, Diouf, was in Dakar working as a government goodwill ambassador and adviser on sport to Senegalese President Macky Sall, and running his own sports newspaper and a gymnasium.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40379715| title=El Hadji Diouf: I am not a bad guy, says controversial Senegal great| first=Stanley| last=Kwenda| work=BBC News| date=26 June 2017| access-date=23 July 2018}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list Senegal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Diouf goal.

Liverpool

• Football League Cup: 2002–03{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2811805.stm | title=Liverpool lift Worthington Cup | date=2 March 2003 | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=11 April 2015}}

Rangers

• Scottish Premier League: 2010–11{{cite web | url=http://www.gfdb.com/Player.3525.El-Hadji-Diouf.aspx | title=El Hadj Diouf | publisher=gfdb.com | access-date=11 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210093946/http://gfdb.com/Player.3525.El-Hadji-Diouf.aspx | archive-date=10 February 2015 | url-status=usurped }}
• Scottish League Cup: 2010–11{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/9428470.stm | title=Celtic1-2 Rangers | date=20 March 2011 | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=11 April 2015}}

Senegal

• Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2002{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/feb/11/newsstory.sport3|title=Cameroon are hot from the spot|website=The Guardian|date=11 February 2002 |access-date=7 February 2020}}

Individual

• African Footballer of the Year: 2001, 2002{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/2904359.stm | title=Diouf scoops award | date=April 2003 | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=11 April 2015}}
• BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2002
• FIFA World Cup All-star team: 2002{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/senegal/features/newsid_2072000/2072025.stm | title=Diouf on top of the World | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=11 April 2015}}
• FIFA 100{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2374252/Pele-open-to-ridicule-over-top-hundred.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2374252/Pele-open-to-ridicule-over-top-hundred.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Pele open to ridicule over top hundred | work=The Telegraph | access-date=11 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|El Hadji Diouf}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=291 Player profile at LFChistory.net]
• [http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/players/profile.php?id=17 Bolton Wanderers Profile] at [http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/ Burnden Aces]
• {{ESPN FC|10526}}

{{Portal|Association football|Biography|Senegal}}

{{Serer topics}}

{{Navboxes

|bg=gold

|fg=navy

|title= Awards

|list1=

{{2002 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}

{{2002 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament}}

{{African Footballer of the Year}}

{{BBC African Footballer of the Year}}

{{FIFA 100}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|title=Senegal squads

|bg=Green

|fg=Yellow

|list1=

{{Senegal squad 2002 African Cup of Nations}}

{{Senegal squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Senegal squad 2004 African Cup of Nations}}

{{Senegal squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{Senegal squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}

}}

{{Joof family|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Diouf, El Hadji}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Dakar

Category:Footballers from Saint-Louis, Senegal

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Senegalese men's footballers

Category:Senegalese Muslims

Category:Serer sportspeople

Category:Senegal men's international footballers

Category:Senegalese expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:FC Sochaux-Montbéliard players

Category:Stade Rennais FC players

Category:RC Lens players

Category:Liverpool F.C. players

Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players

Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players

Category:Rangers F.C. players

Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players

Category:Leeds United F.C. players

Category:Sabah F.C. (Malaysia) players

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:Malaysia Premier League players

Category:African Footballer of the Year winners

Category:FIFA 100

Category:Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players

Category:2004 African Cup of Nations players

Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:2002 African Cup of Nations players

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland

Category:Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in Scotland

Category:21st-century Senegalese sportsmen