The racist abuse of El Hadj Diouf.

I had held off writing about the alleged racist abuse of El Hadj Diouf at Celtic Park because there was some question marks over the authenticity of the picture which in the New of the World last Sunday.

My instincts were that the photo was genuine and yesterday I checked with sources inside the News of the World.

What I was told was:

“It was adjusted in that wording from an advertising board was covered up (so it didn’t run into the headline) but the actual image is kosher and we have the originals stored as they are.”

So that, for me, is that.

It does, indeed, only take one. Celtic fans, as a community, have travelled a long long distance since the disgusting racist abuse heaped on Mark Walters, another Rangers player, at Celtic Park in the 1980s.

I was first told of the NOTW’s intention to run this story the day before it appeared.

My initial reaction, even before seeing the picture, was “life ban”.

When I saw the published photo on Sunday my worst fears were confirmed.

The chimpanzee gesture is the stock in trade for any racist who wishes to taunt a person of colour.

I trust that, as well at the club taking action, this individual will be apprehended and brought before the courts.

A key part of any disposal for this crime-and it is a crime-should be a lengthy football banning order.

There must be zero tolerance for racism in football.

Zero.