Soccer: Diouf banned for three matches

LONDON - Bolton Wanderers striker El Hadji Diouf has been banned for three matches after spitting at Portsmouth's Arjan de Zeeuw in Sunday's (NZ time) English premier league soccer match, the Football Association (FA) said today.

The Senegal international, who was fined two weeks' wages by his club after the incident at the Reebok Stadium, admitted a charge of improper conduct and his suspension starts immediately, the FA said on its website.

Diouf, 23, will miss the premier league matches away at Everton on December 4 and Norwich City on December 11 as well as the home game with Manchester City one week later.

"We have discussed the situation at great length," Bolton manager Sam Allardyce told the club's website:

"El Hadji is full of remorse and very sorry for his actions. He has apologised and has accepted his punishment, both from the club and the FA.

"We will deal with his problem in the long-term. He will get help from our in-house team. We have all the necessary expertise to deal with his problem internally rather than outsourcing professional counselling."

Diouf was fined £5000 ($13,419) by the Glasgow Sheriff Court in March last year for spitting at a Celtic fan during a Uefa Cup game while playing for Liverpool.

Cleveland police also launched an investigation this month after he was accused of spitting at a Middlesbrough fan.

- REUTERS