- Salah was first attacked in the 89th minute of the match against Sierra Leone
- Teammate Mohamed Abdelmonem protected him as security ran onto the field
- England will struggle to win a trophy with Kalvin Phillips It all starts
Security had to be on alert as Mohamed Salah was targeted by numerous pitch invaders during Egypt’s victory over Sierra Leone on Sunday.
Salah provided an assist as former Aston Villa player Trezeguet scored twice for the African side in Liberia as Egypt continued their perfect start to 2025 World Cup qualification.
The match ended on a sour note as the home side finished the match with nine men, with Abdul Jarju Kabia and Derby County star Tyrese Fornah both given their marching orders in the match.
While Fornah was sent off in the first half, Kabia was sent off deep into second-half injury time, with frustration evident in the stands and on the field.
Social media footage shows security rushing onto the field of play as intruders leap over the barriers and appear to head towards Salah, with the Liverpool striker’s teammates also gathering around him.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was targeted by a number of pitch invaders during Egypt’s victory over Sierra Leone
He was protected by teammate Mohamed Abdelmonem as security rushed onto the pitch
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One video showed a number of individuals sprinting towards Salah, while a number of unauthorized people appeared to target Salah.
Salah’s teammate Mohamed Abdelmonem can be seen guarding his teammate, with an intruder switching his focus from Salah to running back to the stands, chased by officials.
A number of people – including guards dressed in hi-vis jackets – were on the pitch when the clip ended, but Salah appeared calm as he tried to diffuse the situation.
Another clip showed a shirtless Salah being escorted off the pitch by a number of military guards, while a member of the crowd still tried his best to take a photo with the attacker.
The Egyptian seemed unperturbed by what was happening throughout, having previously faced a number of pitch invaders as the biggest star in African football.
Notably, in 2021, Salah was playing for Egypt against Angola when supporters ran onto the pitch in an attempt to reach him.
The attacker was escorted off the pitch by full-time military guards to try to prevent further approaches from supporters
Another fan was still trying to get his picture taken (red shirt), but was led away
Salah’s Egypt top the World Cup qualifying group after two games after beating Dijbouti 6-0 on Thursday with Salah scoring four times
Although it is unclear why Salah was the specific target on this occasion, he is seen as an icon for several members of the African population, especially in Egypt.
He was not among the goals on Sunday, but had already scored four goals in the international break, scoring a hat-trick and one in his side’s 6-0 win over Dijbouti on Thursday evening.
The 31-year-old will now look to return to Liverpool in top condition as he prepares for his side’s match against Manchester City this weekend.
Liverpool have been given another 12.30 Saturday afternoon match on TNT Sports straight after the international break, the third of the season, and head to the Etihad hoping to beat City by a margin at the top of the Premier League.
