Fans slam Diouf link

West Ham supporters have reacted angrily to reports that Alan Curbishley may be interested in signing Bolton striker El Hadji Diouf.

The Sengalese striker was watched by Curbishley (along with 21+ other players!) on Tuesday night when Senegal faced Ghana in a friendly at Millwall's New Den ground. Reports subsequently surfaced linking the Hammers with a move for the out of favour striker.

Although there is no indication from West Ham United at this stage that there is anything to the story, the mere suggestion that Curbishley could be interested in the player has been enough to anger a number Hammers fans.

And that all stems back to an incident in November 2002 when Diouf spat at watching Hammers fans whilst warming up on the touchlines for former club Liverpool.

A number of supporters complained to Merseyside Police although the incident was brushed under the carpet with Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton calling the accusations 'absolute rubbish' - before performing an about-turn some days later when claiming that Diouf 'did spit on the ground as he warmed up as a substitute'.

One supporter, speaking on the KUMB.com forums this morning said:

"As one of the Hammers fans who complained to Merseyside Police that day at Anfield I pray that this link is simply not true.

"If he ends up playing for us I will make my way down the the front of the BML and gladly spit back at him. Eggert and Curbs - if it is true. forget it now."

Another supporter added:

"I think it was unforgivable to spit at us that day with such clear intent. I've felt uneasy with some of the other arrivals but this would be really hard to accept."