Diouf cleared in new controversy
 |  Diouf has proved a success in a central striking role |
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BIRMINGHAM, England -- Senegal international El Hadji Diouf, whose goals have secured four points for Bolton in their last two matches, has been cleared over spitting allegations in the 2-1 win over Birmingham at St Andrews on Tuesday night.
Some fans alleged he spat when celebrating his opening goal and statements were taken from them by stewards at half-time.
But Birmingham said on Wednesday that the allegations were unsubstantiated.
The club said they had received no complaints and there was no evidence of the allegation on the stadium's CCTV system.
A statement on Bolton's website confirmed: "Both clubs will not be taking further action and the matter is now closed."
A Birmingham official had spoken to match referee Uriah Rennie about the fans' allegations
"Our steward reported the incident to Uriah Rennie at half-time but he said it was a club matter," said a City spokesman.
"He said it was up to us whether we wanted to take the matter further."
Diouf would only say: "I don't speak English, I only speak French" after helping Bolton to their first league win in 11 games.
Referee Rennie was also reluctant to answer questions.
"I don't want to speak. I've got no view on it. Before I can speak to anyone, I need to get clarification from the Premier League," he said.
Diouf had only just returned from a three-match ban for spitting at Portsmouth defender Arjan De Zeeuw.
Quick to praise
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce dismissed reporters' questions as stupid and he was quick to praise Diouf, who has come in for abuse from fans wherever he has played since completing his suspension.
He was switched to a central striking role after Kevin Davies pulled his hamstring during the New Year's Day clash with West Brom and now has two goals in two games.
"He is going to get stick every game now and the only way he can answer that is by playing like he did at Birmingham," Allardyce said.
"His overall contribution, running, holding the ball up and getting behind defenses, was absolutely superb. We have found an ideal replacement for Kevin Davies, who might be out for a while."
