The Egyptian FA says its players – and Mohamed Salah in particular – were the subject of racist abuse from Senegal fans during their World Cup play-off game.
It also claims Senegalese fans threw bottles and rocks at players during the warm-ups and attacked the team bus as it approached the stadium. The Egyptian FA posted pictures of the incidents to its official Instagram account.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane slotted the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out to send Senegal to the World Cup finals at Egypt’s expense.
A statement from the Egypt FA said: “The Egypt national team have been exposed to racism with offensive signs in the stands against the Egyptian players in general, and Mohamed Salah in particular.
“The crowd also intimidated the players by throwing bottles and rocks on them during the warm-up.
“The Egyptian group’s busses have also been exposed to assaults that led to broken windows and injuries; filed with pictures and videos as proof in the complaint submitted.”
Sky Sports News has contacted Fifa for a comment.
Salah had lasers shining on him when he missed a spot-kick in the shoot-out for Egypt (Credit: Mola TV)
There was further controversy during the game – which Senegal won on penalties to reach the World Cup thanks to Saido Mane scoring the winning spot-kick – as it appeared home fans shone lasers in the eyes of Egyptian players as they prepared to take penalties.
The Egyptian FA also said home fans threw missiles at their players
A member of the Egyptian team seems to be holding a rock that they say was thrown at the bus
The Egyptian FA posted pictures on social media of the team bus after they claimed it was attacked by Senegal fans
As Salah waited to take his spot-kick, lasers could be seen shining on his face and videos on social media appeared to show that it was home fans with the lasers. Salah missed his penalty – blazing his kick over the bar.
Mane’s spot-kick concluded a dramatic second leg in Diamniadio after Hamdi Fathi’s fourth-minute own goal hauled the hosts level following Egypt’s 1-0 win in Cairo on Friday night.
The result was a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations final two months ago when Mane again scored the winning penalty.
Senegal dominated most of the proceedings and Egypt were indebted to goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who produced a series of stunning saves to deny Pape Abdou Cisse and Ismaila Sarr in extra time.
“I was not worried about how theyll manage the game mentally. We have guys who have won the Champions League,” said winning coach Aliou Cisse.
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Angry fans stormed the Moshood Abiola Stadium after Nigeria lost to Ghana in their World Cup qualifier. (Pictures: Samuel Odiase)
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey’s early goal saw Ghana also qualify for the finals after a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Abuja, which proved enough to send the Ghanaians through on the away goals rule. But there were ugly scenes after the match as videos on social media appeared to show Nigerian fans storming the pitch at full-time and breaking stadium seats, forcing police to use tear gas to disperse crowds.
Also in action on Tuesday night were Cameroon, who won 2-1 in Algeria to take the game to extra time after the first match had ended 1-0 to Algeria. However, the clash ended 2-2 on aggregate, meaning Cameroon qualified on the away-goals rule.
Elsewhere, Morocco thrashed DR Congo 4-1 at home to advance to the finals 5-2 on aggregate, while Tunisia played out a goalless draw at home to Mali to progress 1-0 on aggregate.
The draw for the World Cup finals takes place on Friday at 5pm.