Former Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf could head to jail in Senegal if he continues his current lifestyle, as he allegedly refuses to pay child maintenance to his former wife. The 44-year-old Diouf hasn’t provided the ordered monthly support of £670 for his 17-year-old daughter, Keyla, or covered her school and medical expenses. His ex-wife Valerie Bishop says he has not paid a dime since March 2024 and the remaining sum of their debt is about £14,000.
Court Battle in Dakar
Diouf didn’t show up for his court hearing in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, earlier this week and it was not a good reaction. According to Article 351 of the Senegal penal code, a failure to provide maintenance is punishable by imprisonment.
Valerie’s lawyer Mame Adama Gueye reported that Diouf “has the resources to pay but still refuses,” and mentioned his way of life as “luxurious” between Dakar and Saly Portudal. The supreme court has appointed a new date for the hearing – December 5 – when the trial will take place.
A Troubled Legacy
Diouf was once worth £10 million when he moved to Liverpool after his great performance at the 2002 World Cup. Nevertheless, the career of the Senegalese international was overshadowed by a series of controversies, one of which was an incident where he spat on someone for the several times.
After leaving the Reds, he went on to don the shirts of Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, Rangers, Doncaster, and Leeds, before calling it quits in Malaysia.
Author’s Opinion
Diouf’s personal conduct is so bad that it is the only thing people will remember besides the fact that he was quite good on the pitch. The recognition that one deserves for his/her actions is the true measure of a player’s legacy, not the recognition that comes from fame.
