In light of El Hadji Diouf’s suggestion that Steven Gerrard is racist, former Liverpool player Ryan Babel has come out in defence of his former skipper.
Earlier this week, ex-Senegal international and former Africa Player of the Year criticised Gerrard, suggesting that the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder “has never liked black people.”
One fan took to social media to ask Netherlands international Babel—who currently plays in the United Arab Emirates for Al Ain—about his opinion on the issue.
Twitter-friendly Babel was quick to stand alongside the former England international, going on to suggest that Diouf’s assertion was off the mark.
@smtm_LFC i did not got that feeling from Steve G so i think he got it wrong.
— Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) September 15, 2015
Diouf, speaking to the French media, had indicated that Gerrard’s treatment of Mario Balotelli—who left Liverpool for AC Milan during the summer—had convinced him that the ex-Liverpool skipper had a disdain for black people.
It’s perhaps telling that Diouf’s criticism comes in light of Gerrard’s criticism of the West African in his autobiography, which is currently being serialised in the Daily Mail.
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“I don’t really want to waste time thinking about El Hadji Diouf but it’s worth highlighting his wasted seasons at Liverpool as an example of how it can all go wrong,” Gerrard began.
“We had finished as runners-up to Manchester United the season before and a combination of Diouf, Salif Diao and Bruno Cheyrou was supposed to drive us to the title. It was probably the biggest waste of £18m in Liverpool’s history.
“We finished the season in fifth place and Diouf had sealed his place at the top of the list of Liverpool signings I liked least.”