FOOTBALL'S bad boys are laughing in our face. Metaphorically, some are spitting in it.

They are sticking two fingers up to the people who pay their wages - the fans. The respect has gone.

And there's nothing the Football Association can do about it unless they are given greater flexibility in doling out punishments.

Take the case of that vile individual El-Hadji Diouf. He was handed a three-game ban this week for spitting in the face of Portsmouth defender Arjan De Zeeuw.

It was an action many footballers describe as the most disturbing on the football field.

Diouf's Bolton team-mate Gary Speed said: "I can't defend that. To be on the receiving end of that is probably the worst thing that can happen to you."

Bolton acted swiftly, and imposed the maximum fine of two weeks' wages - around £60,000 - and the FA followed that up with a three-game suspension.

But that's merely a slap on the wrist for a footballer who has faced similar accusations before.

He was fined two weeks' wages by Liverpool and £5000 by a Glasgow court last year for spitting at a Celtic fan during a UEFA Cup clash.

Earlier this year, West Ham supporters made similar accusations, and Cleveland police are investigating claims that the Senegal international spat at an 11-year-old Middlesbrough fan three weeks ago.

The FA need to clamp down on Diouf but they are restricted in their powers. The referee missed the incident on Saturday, which means the FA can only impose the same penalty as the referee if he had seen the offence. That amounts to a straight red card and an automatic three-game ban.

But surely there has to be some flexibility?

We need legislation where there are no restrictions, barriers or margins for our governing body.

Maybe Diouf - or any other player who considers spitting at an opponent - would think again if they faced a possible season-long suspension.

Spitting is all about lack of respect for an individual. It's an insult to them as human beings. It's as degrading an action as you can get.

Last week, Blackburn fan Jason Perryman, of Chorley, was banned from football grounds for five years after admitting to racially abusing Dwight Yorke.

Diouf splattered his phlegm over another man's face - and he will miss three games. Make your own mind up.

Another player who showed a complete disregard and lack of respect for his club's fans on Saturday was Jermain Defoe.

By getting himself booked - and suspended - for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal, the Spurs striker laughed at every supporter who has ever passed through the turnstiles at White Hart Lane.

By writing a message to his girlfriend on his vest before the game, his actions were clearly pre-meditated. And he surely knew he would be banned if he picked up one more yellow card.

But priorities are different for some Premiership footballers. They live in their own bubble where the fan comes a long way second to themselves.

Spurs fined him a week's wages - £15,000 - and the following day opened talks for a new improved contract!

If clubs keep treating these people like pampered stars, then fans will soon walk away.