In a startling turn of events during Egypt’s World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone, Mohamed Salah, the celebrated Liverpool star, found himself targeted by pitch invaders. The incident led to Salah being escorted off the pitch by individuals dressed in military uniforms, causing quite a commotion at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Liberia.
The incident unfolded in the 89th minute of the match when Egypt was leading 2-0. Videos circulating on social media captured the dramatic scenes as stewards wearing high-visibility yellow jackets rushed onto the pitch to apprehend a pitch invader near Salah’s position. The stewards resorted to physical intervention, even throwing punches, to subdue the intruder before escorting him off the field.
Simultaneously, another spectator attempted to approach Salah, but the stadium staff and some of Salah’s teammates quickly intervened, ensuring the star’s safety.
In another video shared on social media, Mohamed Salah, visibly shirtless, was seen being accompanied off the pitch by men in military attire. Despite the chaos around him, Salah appeared calm and composed as he left the field.
Notably, Salah has yet to make any public statements regarding the pitch invasion on his social media platforms. However, on Monday, he shared an Instagram picture featuring a young mascot seemingly in awe of the Egyptian international before the game commenced.
The match itself was filled with excitement, with Sierra Leone finishing the game with only nine players after two red cards. Egypt secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to a brace from Trézéguet, further solidifying its impressive start to the qualifying campaign. The team remains unbeaten at the top of Group A after two matches, following a resounding 6-0 victory against Djibouti just days prior.
Following this eventful international fixture, Mohamed Salah is set to return to Liverpool in preparation for an eagerly awaited Premier League match against Manchester City scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.
Reporters reached out to multiple football authorities, including the Confederation of African Football, FIFA, the Egyptian Football Association, and the Sierra Leone soccer federation for comment on the incident, but as of the time of this publication, no responses have been received.
The pitch invasion targeting Mohamed Salah during Egypt’s World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone added an unexpected twist to an already eventful match. Salah’s calm demeanor in the face of the chaos and the subsequent victory for Egypt showcased the resilience and determination of both the player and the national team.
Riya M