Diouf remains part of my plans - Mac
YEP 30/4/13
By Leon Wobschall
Leeds United boss Brian McDermott has confirmed that El-Hadji Diouf has pledged his commitment to the club – as he seeks to atone for his red mist on Saturday.
The United forward, who has had a chequered career, made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was dismissed for an offensive gesture towards Brighton’s fans after scoring a penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat.
McDermott revealed his anger with the actions of Diouf following the game – with the club subsequently announcing yesterday that the Senegalese international had been fined two weeks’ wages. Diouf, 32, who apologised after Saturday’s unfortunate incident, which saw him cop a three-match ban, has accepted his punishment and after positive discussions with the player, McDermott says that he been received assurances about his commitment next term.
The United chief is now keen to draw a line under what happened at the weekend – with Diouf, contracted to the club until June 2014, expected to face no further additional penalty from the FA.
He said: “I have had a really good conversation with Dioufy. It is important he understands my position.
“I will stand by him every day of the week, as long as he does things right.
“He is committed very much to playing for Leeds next season. I asked him that question and spoke to him about getting as fit as he possibly can in the summer and to come back ready. Then, it is a case of: ‘Can he be part of something and a group with a winning mentality.’ He wants to do that and be part of it and I was delighted to hear that.
“He’s apologised and it is done now. We move on.”
Meanwhile, United’s final-day clash at promotion-chasing Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday lunch-time (kick-off 12.45pm) will be screened live on Sky Sports.
United’s U21 development squad went down 1-0 to West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield in their final game of the season in their U21 Professional Development League 2 (North) at Thorp Arch yesterday lunch-time.
The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes from time when Joel Lynch found the net for Town, who earned themselves a place in the end-of-season Professional Development 2 play-offs in the process.
By Leon Wobschall
Leeds United boss Brian McDermott has confirmed that El-Hadji Diouf has pledged his commitment to the club – as he seeks to atone for his red mist on Saturday.
The United forward, who has had a chequered career, made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was dismissed for an offensive gesture towards Brighton’s fans after scoring a penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat.
McDermott revealed his anger with the actions of Diouf following the game – with the club subsequently announcing yesterday that the Senegalese international had been fined two weeks’ wages. Diouf, 32, who apologised after Saturday’s unfortunate incident, which saw him cop a three-match ban, has accepted his punishment and after positive discussions with the player, McDermott says that he been received assurances about his commitment next term.
The United chief is now keen to draw a line under what happened at the weekend – with Diouf, contracted to the club until June 2014, expected to face no further additional penalty from the FA.
He said: “I have had a really good conversation with Dioufy. It is important he understands my position.
“I will stand by him every day of the week, as long as he does things right.
“He is committed very much to playing for Leeds next season. I asked him that question and spoke to him about getting as fit as he possibly can in the summer and to come back ready. Then, it is a case of: ‘Can he be part of something and a group with a winning mentality.’ He wants to do that and be part of it and I was delighted to hear that.
“He’s apologised and it is done now. We move on.”
Meanwhile, United’s final-day clash at promotion-chasing Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday lunch-time (kick-off 12.45pm) will be screened live on Sky Sports.
United’s U21 development squad went down 1-0 to West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield in their final game of the season in their U21 Professional Development League 2 (North) at Thorp Arch yesterday lunch-time.
The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes from time when Joel Lynch found the net for Town, who earned themselves a place in the end-of-season Professional Development 2 play-offs in the process.
