El-Hadji Diouf has been fined a maximum two weeks’ wages by his club for spitting at Celtic fans during last night’s ‘s UEFA Cup quarter-final at Parkhead.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier said: “The boy has made a mistake. He knows that. We all make mistakes in life because we are all human.

“The player has apologised for his reaction,” Houllier added.

‘It was totally inappropriate whatever the provocation.

“He should not have responded the way he did.”

“I am not going to make excuses for him but the boy is young and I can tell you he is devastated by what has happened. “It is sad this has overshadowed a great night’s football.”

Diouf may face police prosecution over the incident, after an allegation was passed to the Procurator Fiscal’s office in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, UEFA has also confirmed that it will investigate the incident.

“UEFA has the power to impose a fine or a suspension on El-Hadji Diouf ahead of the second leg but we look at all incidents case by case,” said a Uefa spokesman.

Diouf was questioned by police after the 1-1 draw and also arrested, then released.

“He was spoken to last night, so now it will be up to the Fiscal to press charges,’ confirmed a police spokesman.

“I would usually expect a gap of at least a week before we get something from them.

“Presumably they are going to report him for breach of the peace on the basis that if he did it, it could have led to some crowd trouble.

“So we will take it on its merits and look at it when it comes in.”