Police 'not investigating Diouf claims'

Everton insist there is no police investigation into allegations by El-Hadji Diouf that bananas were thrown at him at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The Blackburn player is being investigated by the Merseyside force for alleged racial abuse of a 14-year-old ball boy. Diouf told police after the final whistle - and repeated the claim on Monte Carlo Radio - that bananas were thrown at him from the Everton crowd.

Officers immediately scoured the area next to the pitch and in the stands but no bananas were found. No pictures have surfaced to back up his claim either and Everton insist the only matter being investigated is the incident with the ball boy.

An Everton spokesman said: "Our only concern is a child protection matter involving a 14-year-old boy.

"We have spoken to the police and have been told that is the only investigation they are concerned with and that they are not investigating the behaviour of any Everton supporter."

It is understood that Diouf told Blackburn staff after the match that he had had fruit or a piece of fruit thrown at him by Everton fans.

Diouf, a Senegal international who formerly played for Liverpool, also denied he had racially abused the ball boy.

He said to Monte Carlo Radio: "People threw bananas at me, and the referee told me that he would report this to the police."

He added: "I have had other problems, with spitting or fights on the pitch - but not with racism. I can understand that they don't like me at Everton, but to say that I uttered racist words towards a child is nonsense."