London, Sep.23 (ANI): Senegal star Eil Hadji Diouf is claiming that Everton fans threw bananas at him on Sunday and therefore, he retaliated with racially-motivated abuses. However, fans have simply described his defence of his verbal assault as an excuse.

The controversial Blackburn Rovers striker was interviewed by the police after a ball boy claimed the Senegal star racially abused him.

But Diouf categorically denied the allegations, claiming the Everton ball boy had lied and accused the Toffees fans of pelting him with bananas.

Speaking to Radio Monte Carlo, Diouf said: "The ball went out and I wanted to take the throw in quickly. The ball boy threw the ball at me like a bone to a dog. The assistant referee told me he saw it but we had to continue and we would look at it at half time. What's more people threw bananas at me. The fourth official said he would make a report to the police," The Sun quoted Diouf, as saying.

The 14-year-old ball-boy concerned claimed that Diouf shouted: "F*** off white boy."

But the hitman claimed he did not even speak to the young ball-boy on Sunday and instead tried to turn the tables on Everton. (ANI)