Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead admits he may have to act to prevent new signing El-Hadji Diouf getting into trouble with referees.On the eve of the new Premier League season, Whitehead warns that the fiery winger, newly signed from Bolton, may have to curb his temperament because referees are acutely aware of his reputation.
"People will obviously know what 'Dioufy' is about," said Whitehead.
"As captain and players we will have to make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble because referees will be after him I'd say.
"They target certain players and it's part of my job to make sure he doesn't react.
"What you see with Dioufy is what you get. You're not going to change the way he plays and the way he conducts himself but it's up to us to make sure he doesn't overstep the mark."
Diouf, set to make his Sunderland debut in Saturday's opening home game against former club Liverpool, was named in the Senegal squad for the friendly against Libya in Tripoli on August 20 while fellow newcomer Teemu Tainio will play for Finland against Israel the same night.
Marton Fulop, meanwhile, has been named in the Hungary squad for their friendly against Montenegro on August 20 and Craig Gordon is set to line up for Scotland against Northern Ireland in Glasgow.
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What does Whitehead mean? who are the 'people' who 'target certain players'? Surely he's not implying that referees pick on certain individuals. Wouldn't that be naughty, my my I hope he doesn't get into trouble over this:-)
If he is talking about the other players then surely it would be a mark of the spitting man'Dioufy' to rise above such provocation and respect the authority and judgement of the referee and his assistants- isn't this the big push yet again, although I seem to be hearing this every year then why is that things are getting worse?
I agree with craig381sara, spitters should be banned, as should Ashley Cole for last season's toys out of the pram incident, but he was actually chosen to represent England! Sanctions should be much higher. 3 match ban and a fine, not much more than a slap on the hand. Make them work with community groups and children, have them explain their actions and apologise publically, ban them for 10 matches at a time, then perhaps even the big clubs will think twice about employing thugs and cheats.
There was once a time not too long ago that if our English guys went down under a challenge you knew he's been fouled, I'm talking Gerard, Lampard et al here, now I can never be sure.
Someone needs to make a stand- please or else our game will be as awful to watch as the rest of the world.
Diof was ok 4 liverpool but spitting, well he should have been sent home and banned from playing in England 4 at least 2-3 years.
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