Diouf banned for three matches for spitting

Bolton's El-Hadji Diouf, seen here in January 2004, was banned for three matches after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct for spitting

Bolton's El-Hadji Diouf was banned for three matches after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct for spitting.

The Senegal international striker was charged by the Football Association on Monday after spitting in the face of Portsmouth's Arjan de Zeeuw during Saturday's match.

Diouf had already been fined a maximum two weeks' wages by Bolton over what was the second such incident of his career in England.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said the player deeply regretted his actions.

"We have discussed the situation at great length," Allardyce told Bolton's website.

"El-Hadji is full of remorse and very sorry for his actions. He has apologised and has accepted his punishment, both from the club and the FA."

Allardyce, who had talked of the possibility of sending Diouf to a sports psychologist to help him improve his on-field conduct, added: "We will deal with his problem in the long-term.

"He will get help from our in-house team. We have all the necessary expertise to deal with his problem internally rather than outsourcing professional counselling."

Diouf, who is on a season-long loan from Liverpool, was fined 5,000 pounds by Glasgow's Sheriff Court in March of last year for spitting at a Celtic fan during a UEFA Cup game.

His suspension will see him miss Bolton's games against Everton, Norwich and Manchester City.