Liverpool footballer El-Hadji Diouf was fined ￡5,000 today for assaulting a Celtic fan by spitting on him during a Uefa Cup match.

Diouf pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault under provocation. He admitted spitting at season ticket-holder Dominic Schiavone during the quarter-final tie, dubbed the Battle of Britain, at Celtic Park on March 13.

The 22-year-old Senegalese striker arrived at court this morning looking relaxed, wearing a casual brown suit, a black hooded top and sunglasses on the top of his head. A translator was present in court for Diouf who speaks little English. The court heard that in the 86th minute Diouf over-ran an attempt to reach the ball and landed in a seated area full of Celtic fans. Procurator fiscal Elspeth Stewart said Mr Schiavone helped get the player back up on his feet and patted him on the head while doing so.

She said the footballer was then seen to turn around and spit at Mr Schiavone. She said: "He touched the accused on the head. It was a jovial move and the crowd were in good spirits. It was a pat on the head.

"The accused was then seen by witnesses to come back a short distance and he then spit at Dominic Schiavone. The spit lands on Mr Schiavone's head."

She explained that Mr Schiavone had only wanted to touch the head of an internationally renowned player.

The court heard that Diouf, whose wife gave birth the day after the match, was later substituted and interviewed by police in the dressing room.

Around 60,000 spectators were at the game, which was broadcast live on Channel 5.

Joe Beltrami, representing Diouf, said the star had been very tense on the evening of the match. He added that Diouf had also been in shock after he fell on spectators.

He said: "The atmosphere was electric. The adrenaline was circulating, surging and pumping in the heat of the moment. The match had earlier been described as the Battle of Britain.

"My client who is an athlete and is very pacy was running for the ball. The momentum carried him over the boards and onto the wall and he fell. He must have been in considerable shock."

Mr Beltrami argued that Diouf had been "struck" on the head and that it was not simply a pat. He said: "A witness said there was some force used."

He added that in Senegalese culture it was "degrading, insulting and patronising" to be touched in such a way on the back of the head because in past years slave traders had done that.

He said Diouf would have found it degrading and that was the "catalyst" for his client's actions. In Senegal spitting is not a criminal offence.

Liverpool later fined Diouf two weeks wages and sent Celtic a cheque for ￡30,000 for a charity of their choice. Diouf made a public apology and was banned for two European matches.

Mr Beltrami stressed that Diouf had accepted full responsibility for his behaviour on what was a "nightmarish occasion".

Sheriff Craig McSherry QC said he had taken into consideration the substantial fine Diouf had paid out of his wages and the matches that he had missed.

However, fining him ￡5,000 he said: "I feel it necessary for the court to show disapproval of this type of behaviour."

One man, believed to Mr Schiavone's father, shouted "yes" from the public benches as the punishment was handed down. The man refused to comment as he left the court. Diouf refused to answer any questions outside court and left in a taxi with his translator, an English lawyer and a club official.

Asked about the decision to fine the player ￡5,000, Mr Beltrami said: "My own reaction was I think it was a bit high."

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