Diouf the target in hate mail campaign

Liverpool striker El-Hadji Diouf is the subject of a hate campaign from his fellow countrymen who claim he has snubbed Senegal.

Diouf missed the African Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the weekend because he said he was visiting his sick stepfather, but he has been accused by the Senegalese of boycotting the match in a protest over former coach Bruno Metsu.

The African player of the year had threatened to refuse to play for the national team unless Metsu - who quit his post after the World Cup - was offered another contract by Senegal, and his absence from new coach Abdoulaye Sarr's first game in charge at the weekend, along with Liverpool team-mate Salif Diao, was marked down.

The £10million signing has become the target of abuse from his countrymen, with sources in Africa claiming he has been sent obscene mail - including some containing excrement.

Senegal team-mate Khalilou Fadiga has already said he is 'very angry' with Diouf, and he could run into more trouble against Birmingham City tomorrow, when he comes face to face with international colleague Aliou Cisse.

Relations between the two have been strained by the row, and Cisse will seek an explanation from Diouf over the apparent snub.