Former Senegal international and Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf has received a one-year suspended prison sentence after a court in Senegal found him guilty of failing to meet child support obligations for his teenage daughter, according to local judicial proceedings. The unpaid amount reportedly totals nearly £14,000.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed last year by Diouf’s former wife, Valerie Bishop, following their divorce in 2023. Under the court’s earlier ruling, Bishop was granted custody of their 17-year-old daughter, Keyla. Diouf was ordered to pay approximately £670 per month in child support, in addition to covering school tuition and medical expenses.
However, Bishop accused the former football star of stopping payments in March 2024. During the hearings, the court concluded that Diouf had failed to fulfill his parental responsibilities, leading to the suspended sentence. The 45-year-old was also instructed to pay £13,220 in outstanding support to his ex-wife.
Senegalese law treats the refusal to provide legally mandated child support as a criminal offense. Article 351 of the country’s family code allows prison penalties in cases where a parent deliberately avoids financial responsibilities toward a child.
Lawyers representing Bishop argued that Diouf possesses sufficient financial resources to comply with the court order. They stated that the former striker continues to earn income through advertising partnerships, real estate investments, and activities linked to the Senegalese Football Federation.
One legal adviser told the court that Diouf “has the financial means to pay, but has chosen not to do so.” The former Liverpool player was reportedly absent from several hearings and was ultimately sentenced in absentia.
Diouf remains one of Senegal’s most recognizable football figures. He played a central role in the nation’s historic 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign, where Senegal stunned defending champions France and reached the quarter-finals in their tournament debut. He was also named African Player of the Year in both 2001 and 2002.
Despite his international success, Diouf’s career in English football was frequently overshadowed by controversy. During his time at Liverpool F.C., he scored just three goals in 55 Premier League appearances and faced repeated criticism over unsportsmanlike conduct, including multiple incidents involving spitting at opponents and supporters.