Senegal striker El Hadji Diouf has quit international football for the second time, the country's national federation (CNF) said.

"(In a letter to the CNF) El Hadji Diouf explained that he was no longer available for international competition and that he is suspending his career," said spokesman Ndeye Dome Thiouf. "He has retired from internationals, but will continue to play club football in England."

El Hadji Diouf, who plays for Blackburn in the English Premier League, said in October 2007 that he was calling time on his international career after falling out with the management of the national team. The 28-year-old later changed his mind.

Despite being the only the second African team to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup™ which they did at Korea/Japan 2002, Senegal are out already out of contention for South Africa 2010. Senegal finished behind Algeria, and surprise-packets Gambia on goal difference, to miss out on the final stage of qualifying.