FIFA punishes Senegal for fan disorder, lasers at Salah

ZURICH –

FIFA fined Senegal’s soccer federation 175,000 Swiss Francs (US$180,000), Monday, for fan disorder at a World Cup playoff match. This included shining laser pointers at Egypt’s star Mohamed Salah during the penalty shootout.

Salah’s face was filled with vivid green light as he was about to take his penalty. Senegal won March’s shootout in Dakar with Salah’s Liverpool teammate Sadio mane scoring the crucial spot kick.

FIFA said its disciplinary committee also looked into a pitch invasion by Senegal fans, an offensive banner and the national federation’s “failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium.”

Senegal was also asked to play a future game in an empty venue.

A number of other similar cases involving World Cup qualifying matches played since January were also considered by the FIFA disciplinary panel, which handed out many fines and stadium closures.

Nigeria was given a 150,000 Swiss Francs fine (US$154,000) and a one-game stadium shutdown. Following the elimination of Nigeria at home by Ghana, there was disorder on the field.

FIFA imposed fines totalling 125,000 Swiss francs (US$128,000), on Congo, and 100,000 Swiss Swiss francs on Lebanon for similar cases in games against Morocco (Syria) and Syria (Syria). Both received stadium closures for one game.

Total fines for discrimination against fans of Chile or Colombia at home games and other offenses were 95,000 Swiss Francs (US$98,000), and 55,000 Swiss Francs (56,000,500), respectively.