Diouf admits to diving to win penalties

LONDON, Nov 25 (Reuters) Bolton Wanderers' Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf has admitted diving to win penalties, but said it was common practice in the Premier League.

Diouf, a former African Footballer of the Year, was widely quoted in the British media today as saying: ''Every player dives, not just me.

''Sometimes when I need to dive to get a penalty it is because, in my opinion, the best footballer is a footballer who is very clever.

''I don't leave my foot there so the guy can break my leg. I need to dive before the guy comes in. There are times when the referee gives me a free-kick and times when he doesn't, but how many penalties have I won by doing that? ''It is just football. Sometimes I have a reputation for going down too easily, but that is like every player in the Premiership.'' Pointing the finger at Manchester United's England striker Wayne Rooney, Diouf said: ''If you see Rooney, how many times does he dive to try and get a penalty? It is just because it is me that people talk about it.'' Diouf, who has been involved in more than one spitting incident in his career and is often a target for opposing fans, was well aware of his reputation.

''Everybody thinks I am a bad boy,'' Diouf said. ''I have a bad reputation everywhere in the world.

''I know that, but what is important for me is that the people I am working with -- (Bolton manager) Sam Allardyce, the staff and the other players -- know I am a nice lad.'' Reuters PM DB1915