Picture Credit: Twitter
Egypt are out of contention for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar as the game ended 1-0 in full time before Senegal proceeded further to win 3-1 win on penalties. However, the talking point about the match was the treatment Mohamed Salah received from opposition fans as he was not only targeted by lasers but was even pelted with missiles.
In a video that is now going viral on the internet, the 29-year-old star footballer could be seen targeted by lasers as he is about to take a crucial penalty kick. However, the Liverpool star ends up skying the big chance and watches Sadio Mane and Senegal advance to the marquee event later this year.
The behaviour from fans at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor has prompted the Egyptian football association to file a "racism" complaint.
Other than the laser attack, it is being reported that racist banners were held up in the stadium targeting Salah during the game. In addition, there were pictures of the damage that has been done to their team bus before the match that have been shared by an Instagram page.
"The Egyptian Football Association have lodged a formal complaint against its Senegalese counterpart to the match observer, the security official, CAF, and FIFA, before the start of the match between the two teams," the federation said in an official statement.
"The Egyptian team was subjected to racism after the appearance of offensive banners in the stands aimed at the players, specifically Mohamed Salah," it added.
"Moreover, the Senegalese fans terrorized the Egyptian players by throwing bottles and stones at them during the warm-up, as well as attacking the Egyptian team bus, which caused glass shattering and some injuries, which was documented with pictures and videos attached to the complaint," it further stated.