Rangers’ El-Hadji Diouf reveals respect for Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi: I have always admired him

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Rangers‘ El-Hadji Diouf has admitted that he admires Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi.

The 30-year-old Senegal international revealed that he knows the Libyan leader and his son well.

Diouf is no stranger to controversy, recently seeing red in an Old Firm clash and this season coming under fire for taunting Queens Park Rangers’ Jamie Mackie as he lay injured, but his comments about Gaddafi and Libya, currently torn by civil war, will perhaps raise more eyebrows than any of his antics on the pitch.

“Gaddafi is a man who I have always admired,” Diouf is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying.

“I am telling the truth. I know him, and I know his son Saif as well. They are my friends.

“I do not honestly know what is really happening in Libya at the moment, but it must be very hard for Gaddafi and his family.

“I cannot remain far away from what is happening in Libya. I do not know who is in the right and who is wrong, but it is a shame to see so many victims.”

Diouf also urged his team-mate Madjid Bougherra to quit the Scottish club and make a move to the English Premier League.

He added: “Madjid needs a new challenge at the end of the season and he has to go to the Premier League and nowhere else.”