Diouf told to retract accusations

The Blackburn Rovers striker accused Everton fans of throwing bananas at him during the Toffees' 3-0 win, but club spokesman Ian Ross says these allegations are unfounded, and has asked Diouf to withdraw his statement.

“I don't think there's a worse allegation in modern sport than racism and it works both ways. At the moment, and from my perspective, it looks like Mr. Diouf is accusing Everton fans of racist behaviour.

“The police will tell you that is completely untrue and in such circumstances we would expect him to apologise and retract his allegations.”

"That is a wholly false allegation and I really would like him to retract that allegation and apologise to the supporters and staff of this football club."

The pitch and stands were both searched by officers, but no bananas were found. Ross added that Everton didn't appreciate being given a bad press for something that it had worked so hard as a club to abolish.

"In the same way we wouldn't tolerate our supporters racially abusing a supporter, a member of staff or a footballer in the stadium, we don't really like the idea of a visiting footballer levelling that accusation at our supporters

"We moved very quickly and had the allegation held any water at all, we would have said so.

"And the police certainly would have said so because we work very closely with their hate crimes unit through ourselves and through our community section, the Everton Foundation.

Ross confirmed that the club weren't to undergo police proceedings for the incident, but couldn't resist a nod to the incident concerning Diouf's alleged racist comments directed at an Everton ball boy, and mentioned that the police are still looking into things.

"The police have confirmed today that the only investigation ongoing is into the allegations against Mr Diouf, not allegations of misbehaviour by Everton fans."