[BrianCappellieri]

SoccerAge

Liverpool have confirmed that they will take no action over Senegalese pair Salif Diao and El-Hadji Diouf after they failed to turn up for international duty.

[Matt Clark]

There was never any question of them being punished for anything by the club.

Liverpool Echo

... it emerged yesterday that Diouf had returned to his homeland because his stepfather is dying of cancer, while Diao considers himself not fit enough to play for his country at the moment.

Neither player will be disciplined by the club.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: "El Hadji Diouf was given permission by the manager and the club to return to Senegal to see his stepfather, who is dying of cancer.

"Like the rest of the squad, Salif Diao has been off for two days. He will report back for training with the rest of the players who aren't on international duty tomorrow."