El Hadji Diouf receives suspended prison sentence over unpaid child support
Former Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf has been handed a suspended prison sentence after failing to pay nearly £14,000 in child support, reports BritPanorama.
The retired Senegalese striker was sued by his ex-wife, Valerie Bishop, last year and brought to court over the outstanding payments. Diouf, 45, has been given a one-year suspended jail term and ordered to pay his ex 10 million West African francs (£13,220).
As part of the ruling, Valerie, who was awarded custody of the couple’s daughter, Keyla, now 17, has also been allocated £670 a month in child support, alongside the obligation to cover her school fees and medical bills. However, Valerie accused Diouf of failing to make the required payments since March 2024.
Senegal’s legal framework imposes severe penalties for non-compliance with family law, including Article 351, which specifies jail terms for failing to pay maintenance. Valerie’s lawyers, Baboucar Cisse and Cheikh Sy, informed the court that Diouf had sufficient wealth from endorsements, property, and work with Senegal’s FA to meet his obligations.
The court was also told during last November’s trial by fellow legal advisor Mame Adama Gueye that “Diouf is fully solvent. He has the means to pay, but refuses to do so.” It should be noted that the case has been protracted, with Diouf absent at several hearings before being sentenced in his absence.
Diouf, who joined Liverpool from French club Lens in 2002 for £10 million, found himself embroiled in controversies throughout his career. His time at Liverpool saw him manage only three goals in 55 Premier League appearances, despite making a total of 80 appearances for the Reds.
After his time at Liverpool, he played for clubs including Bolton, Sunderland, Blackburn, Rangers, Doncaster, and Leeds, ultimately concluding his career with Malaysian club Sabah. Known for his pivotal role in Senegal’s historic 2002 World Cup campaign, where the team reached the quarter-finals and defeated then-champions France, Diouf also scooped two African Player of the Year awards in 2001 and 2002.
His career was marked by off-the-field incidents and tensions, including a 2004 ban for spitting at Portsmouth defender Arjan de Zeeuw and previous misconduct that led to fines and suspensions. Diouf later expressed regret for his behavior, citing a lack of moral responsibility. His legacy remains complex, reflecting the often tumultuous intersection of talent and controversy in the world of football.
As the saga of Diouf unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the obligations that transcend the pitch, illustrating how the lives of sports figures can often unravel under the scrutiny of both the law and the public eye.
