Egyptian FA accuses Senegal fans of racism and attacking team bus | Did lasers put off Mohamed Salah? | Football News

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 as it approached the stadium. It posted pictures of the incidents to its official Instagram account.

A statement 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.”

There was further controversy during the game – which Senegal won on penalties 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.

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 against the same opponents.

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.

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.

The draw for the World Cup finals takes place on Friday at 5pm.