Mo Salah targeted in pitch invasion with military throwing punches to protect Liverpool forward



Mohamed Salah was in action for Egypt during their World Cup qualifier – Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Mohamed Salah had to be escorted off the pitch by the military after he was targeted by pitch invaders during Egypt’s win over Sierra Leone.

Salah helped his country to a 2-0 victory but in the closing stages at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Liberia fans rushed onto the pitch and charged towards Liverpool forward.

Security were forced to throw punches as well as tackle fans to the ground in an effort to protect the 31-year-old and clear him from harm’s way.

Footage from the 89th minute of the game posted on social media shows security in hi-vis jackets rushing onto the pitch to apprehend a pitch invader with others making their way onto the pitch.

🚨🎥| Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah almost gets attacked by opposition fans who ran into the pitch during the match, Sierra Leone vs Egypt. 😦

pic.twitter.com/9xGOOCDinN

— TTS. (@TransferSector) November 19, 2023

Salah’s Egyptian teammates also jumped to his protection with Mohamed Abdelmonem chasing away one fan before Egyptian staff and soldiers rushed onto the pitch to help form a protective ring around Salah.

It remains unknown as to what caused the chaos or the intentions behind the pitch invasion but Salah remained calm throughout the ordeal as he was marched down the tunnel.

The first pitch invader was wearing a Liverpool shirt and approached Salah in a non-confrontational way but the same could not be said for the other invaders.

Egypt were already 2-0 up before the incident occurred with Trezeguet hitting a double with Sierra Leone ended the game with nine players after Tyrese Fornah and Abdul Jarju Kabia were sent off for second yellow cards.

The victory moves Egypt to the top of the World Cup qualifying group with two wins from two after hammering Djibouti 6-0 on Thursday with Salah scoring four goals.

Liverpool face Manchester City in the 12.30pm kick off on Saturday as the Premier League resumes after the international break.

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